Sometimes, you watch a sports movie that is just so good you can’t help but go on your phone the moment after and look up how to play the sport. That’s the power of some of the best sports movies out there – and here are a few that exemplify that perfectly.

Challengers (2024)

This was the first movie that came to my mind when I was generating ideas for this list. While it’s undoubtedly one of Zendaya’s best films, Challengers also gave way to a huge movement of people learning to play tennis, as well as a slew of tennis-related outfits that were everywhere for so long. I’m pretty sure I have, like, five tennis dresses in my closet right now.

A League Of Their Own (1992)

I feel like with baseball, there are always plenty of movies out there, but A League of Their Own is special because it’s one of those movies that inspires girls to really get into the sport of baseball. While these types of movies can inspire anyone, since baseball is a relatively male sport and there are few softball movies out there, it’s a great film to encourage young girls to pick up the sport.

The Sandlot (1993)

Of course, I have to put The Sandlot. It’s arguably one of the biggest sports movies of all time and is considered a favorite of many people, not only those of my age but also older generations. We all want to be playing baseball outside as children after watching this film.

The Karate Kid (1984)

The Karate Kid movies have been around for several decades and continue to inspire many viewers to learn the art of karate. Mr. Miyagi’s teachings have continued into another generation, time and time again.

And to be honest, The Karate Kid is one of those franchises that I don’t think will ever die. You know that saying from Cobra Kai, “Cobra Kai never dies?” Yeah, that’s going to be this franchise. We will forever be seeing kids who want to learn karate thanks to this film, and honestly, I can’t really be upset about that.

Friday Night Lights (2004)

There are many iconic football movies out there, and I’m pretty positive that Friday Night Lights is one of them. I mean, it inspired a whole television show based on it. The movie is the epitome of high school football and the heart that goes into it.

Rocky (And The Sequels) (1976-Onward)

Do I need to say anymore? It’s the Rocky movies, as well as the Creed films. There is nothing quite like seeing an underdog rise to the top and take down big dogs throughout a film franchise. So many people became boxers because of this film.

Major League (1989)

Okay, so the movie itself is goofy and pretty raunchy, but look, it’s a hilarious baseball movie. Major League is one of those films that you watch and end up loving because of how obscene it is – and then you want to go out and whack a stick and ball around, too.

I, Tonya (2017)

Without all the assault stuff, you feel me? I, Tonya, is one of Margot Robbie’s best films – if not her best, next to Barbie, of course – where she truly shines in the starring role. I have to admit that watching figure skating made me want to get out on the ice, even if I have the same amount of coordination that Bambi had when he first learned to walk.

Either way, it’s still a great movie with some amazingly done skating scenes, and anyone who has any interest in skating will undoubtedly want to head to the rink afterwards.

She’s The Man (2006)

Amanda Bynes was genuinely a national treasure in the early 2000s, creating a slew of incredible teen movies that have defined a generation (mine). One of those was She’s the Man, where she pretends to be a boy to join a boys' soccer team when the girls' team is shut down. It’s inspiring, and it's certainly inspired plenty of young women to pick up the sport, including me.

White Men Can’t Jump (1992)

It's another hysterical sports comedy that will make you want to learn the sport while also laughing a lot. White Men Can’t Jump stars Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, and is a hilarious movie that genuinely makes you want to go out and learn to play basketball – but don’t get into any tussles with those streetballers.

The Fighter (2010)

Arguably one of Mark Wahlberg’s best movies (as well as Christian Bale), The Fighter is another great boxing film based on the real tale of MickyWard and Dicky Eklund and their time in the boxing world. It’s inspiring, dramatic, and hits all the right notes – the perfect recipe to make you want to learn boxing as well.

The Longest Yard (1974)

I literally could not think of any other football movie that fits this list better than The Longest Yard. Starring Burt Reynolds, the film revolves around a football player recruiting prisoners to play a game of football against their guards. It’s a great movie and one that certainly will make you want to play football afterwards, just for fun.

Chariots Of Fire (1981)

While Chariots of Fire inspired one of the most meme-worthy musical scores ever, it’s also an Academy Award-winning movie that amazingly showcases the sport of track and tells a fantastic true story. If you haven’t seen this film, be sure to check it out.

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Of course, I had to put The Mighty Ducks on here. This movie was a defining kid classic of the 1990s and inspired many people to take up the sport of hockey. The movie was so popular that it spawned an entire franchise.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Okay, so this movie is silly in a lot of ways, but Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is a fun racing movie. When you’re not laughing your butt off, some fantastic race scenes are very well done. I’m sure NASCAR got a lot of fans after this.

Caddyshack (1980)

I’m pretty sure Caddyshack is one of the most famous golf movies of all time, and obviously, for good reason. The movie stars comedy legends like Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and more, and features some great golf sequences that make the sport look that much more entertaining (even if I probably will never play it).

Invincible (2006)

No, I’m not talking about one of the best Amazon Prime TV shows – I’m talking about the sports film that stars Mark Wahlberg, which tells the story of Vince Papale, a real-life football player who played for the Eagles back in the 1970s when he decided to go to a training camp for the Eagles. You’ll be rooting for this team in no time – GO BIRDS!

Hoosiers (1986)

Hoosiers is the type of sports movie that will make you want to shoot baskets the moment the film is done. The movie follows the story of a basketball team in Indiana and their journey to the national championship, but it’s so inspiring you’ll want to learn the game, too.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)

"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball," is a classic line from Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. And while there are plenty of inaccuracies about the sport in this film, it’s still a heck of a fun time, and as someone who was in school when this film came out, there was A LOT more dodgeball happening on the courts.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

While we waited years for Happy Gilmore 2, the original is still just as amazing and one that I will always recommend. It’s one of Adam Sandler’s best roles, hilarious, and makes every moment of watching it so funny while also introducing the viewer to the idea of golf.

The Blind Side (2009)

The Blind Side may have generated considerable controversy years later, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that the movie itself remains very inspiring and portrays football in a positive light. It is still one of Sandra Bullock’s best roles and makes you want the NFL season to come back around much quicker.

Raging Bull (1980)

Raging Bull might sound like a terrifying movie, but in reality, it’s a great boxing film. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, the series tells the story of real-life boxing champion Jake LaMotta and his rise and fall as a professional boxer. It’s iconic in many ways and has won several awards.

Ali (2001)

While Will Smith won the Academy Award for his role in King Richard, he was first nominated for his portrayal of legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali, which depicted his rise to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Another inspiring tale that could lead anyone to the ring.

Remember The Titans (2000)

The Remember the Titans cast is utterly iconic, and so is the movie itself. It’s all about integrating two different teams from two other schools in Virginia back in the 1970s, and yes…it gets pretty messy regarding racial tensions, prejudices, and more. However, the movie is inspiring, and so is the sport that inspired it.

Race (2016)

Starring Stephan James, Race is based on the true story of Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, and how he surpassed all odds to do so despite facing years of racial discrimination within the sport. It’s a race movie like no other.

Field Of Dreams (1989)

There are so many great baseball movies out there, but Field of Dreams is an excellent one. I only watched Field of Dreams a few years ago, but it made me want to create a baseball field outside my apartment building if I were able to communicate with baseball players who have passed on. That’s pretty cool.

Secretariat (2010)

Secretariat is a horse racing movie that tells the true story of Secretariat, one of the best (if not the best) racing horses of all time. As someone who loved this movie as a kid, all I wanted to do was go out there and ride a horse. It’s honestly such a fun time.

42 (2013)

There are the greats of baseball, and then there’s Jackie Robinson, one of the legends. 42 is all about that, starring the late Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and telling the legendary baseball player’s story.

Bring It On (2000)

Yes, of course, I had to include a cheerleading movie here because it is a sport, and anyone who tells you otherwise is an idiot. The film, about rival cheer teams, inspired so many young girls to get into cheerleading and showed that anyone could be a cheerleader if they put their heart and soul into it.

Rudy (1993)

If you want to talk about a true underdog story, then Rudy is the film that shows that. The film is based on the real-life story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who, despite all odds, managed to play for the Notre Dame football team.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

There were a slew of soccer movies in the early years of the 2000s, and Bend it Like Beckham is a fantastic example of one, all about two young women who look for success in the world of soccer (or football, as they call it across the pond and pretty much everywhere else in the world).

The Legend Of Bagger Vance (2000)

The film is a sports fantasy drama that not only teaches you how to play the game but also tells an inspiring story about a former golfer who is coached back to become a legend.

Geez, now I feel like I have to go and sign up for some sports clinics – or maybe rewatch these movies. Where was my popcorn again?

They say that “Mother knows best,” but I can think of a few movies and TV shows that challenge that belief. The following are some of the rudest, most cruel, and just plain evil fictional moms whom I am eternally thankful I never had to grow up with.

Margaret White (Carrie)

Sissy Spacek's title character from Brian DePalma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie possesses telekinetic abilities that make her a danger to others, but she is not the villain of the story. That would be her mother, Margaret (Piper Laurie in an Oscar-nominated performance), who is an abusive, extreme religious fanatic with deluded reasoning for cruelly punishing her daughter, whom she even considers to be a punishment for her own past sins.

Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development)

There are very few members of the Bluth Family from Arrested Development who do not boast hilariously despicable personalities. The worst of them all might just be the matriarch, Lucille (Jessica Walter), whose self-serving, elitist ego drives her to manipulate and arrogantly berate all of her "loved" ones, with her own children facing much of the brunt.

Momma Lift (Throw Momma From The Train)

In the 1987 dark comedy movie, Throw Momma from the Train, Owen Lift (Danny DeVito, who also directs) agrees to kill the ex-wife of his writing professor, Larry Donner (Billy Crystal), in exchange for murdering his mother. Honestly, it is hard not to empathize with Owen when Anne Ramsey first appears in her Oscar-nominated role as the loud, nasty, belligerent, and physically abusive Momma Lift.

Livia Soprano (The Sopranos)

Every Sopranos character has their standout qualities, but Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand) has absolutely none. Her gangster son Tony (James Gandolfini) enters therapy to get over issues stemming from his terrible childhood living under her roof. However, she committed her worst sin against him when he was grown up, attempting to orchestrate his murder.

Lady Tremaine (Cinderella)

You could look at any iteration of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, and the title character's wicked stepmother could be considered an all-timer in this category, based on her unjustifiably horrid treatment of the innocent young woman. However, Eleanor Audley's portrayal in the Disney animated classic from 1950 is perhaps the most bloodcurdlingly cruel and chillingly intimidating.

Selina Meyer (Veep)

In Armando Iannucci's hilarious political satire, Veep, Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) uses and abuses as many people as possible to rise in the ranks of the United States Government. Receiving the worst treatment, however, is her own daughter, Catherine (Sarah Sutherland), whom she constantly belittles and shamelessly uses as a tool in her campaigns.

Mary Jones (Precious)

One of the most stunning examples of a comedian giving a stellar dramatic performance is Mo'Nique's Oscar-winning role in Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire as the title character's mom, Mary Jones. Not only does she physically and verbally abuse her teenage daughter (played by Gabourey Sidibe), but she also stands by when her husband takes advantage of her, only to blame her for the situation and accuse her of "stealing her man."

Cersei Lannister (Game Of Thrones)

In the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels, there are many noble royals who breed despicable children, and just as many noble royals bred from despicable parents. However, Cersei Lannister (played by Lena Headey in HBO's Game of Thrones cast) is an example of a sadistic woman who also bred sadistic children, all of whom would end up meeting a bitter end as a result of her manipulative ways.

Joan Crawford (Mommie Dearest)

Arguably, the mother of all mean movie mothers is not a product of complete fiction, but allegedly based on fact. Faye Dunaway gives a frighteningly over-the-top performance as Academy Award winner Joan Crawford in a 1981 adaptation of Mommie Dearest, a memoir by the screen legend's own adoptive daughter, Christina.

Cookie Lyon (Empire)

The dog-eat-dog nature of the music industry has rarely been captured better than in Lee Daniels and Danny Strong's hit series, Empire, especially as seen through the eyes of Loretha "Cookie" Lyon. Portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in a Golden Globe-winning performance, the record executive and former convict is not opposed to pitting her own children against each other to benefit her own influence over the family's company, Empire Entertainment.

Pamela Voorhees (Friday The 13th)

If you really think about it, Pamela Voorhees (portrayed by Betsy Palmer in the 1980 horror movie classic, Friday the 13th) is not, in essence, a bad mother. It was her loving commitment to her son that drove her to murder the camp counselors she believes were responsible for his fatal drowning. In fact, proof that the sympathetic horror villain was a good mom lies in the mysteriously resurrected Jason and his bid to continue killing debaucherous teens in her honor.

Marie Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)

On the beloved TV sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frank Barone (Peter Boyle) is the more outwardly spiteful parent to Ray (Ray Romano) and Robert (Brad Garrett). At least he does not treat his sons like children, even as grown-ups, like his wife, Marie, does. Doris Roberts' multi-Emmy-winning role might be an even worse mother-in-law, with the way she puts down Ray's wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), at seemingly every chance.

Lavona Golden (I, Tonya)

I believe the key to Allison Janney's Oscar win for portraying Tonya Harding's mother, Lavona Golden, in I, Tonya is how persuasively she argues that she is responsible for pushing the Olympic figure skater (played by Margot Robbie) to greatness. However, she takes absolutely no responsibility for instilling qualities of poor sportsmanship, incessant verbal and physical abuse, and her shamelessly manipulative ways.

Evelyn Harper (Two And A Half Men)

Holland Taylor is dynamite in her ferocious, four-time Emmy-nominated performance as the cold and vindictive Evelyn Harper on Two and a Half Men. It is no wonder that her sons, the commitment-phobic Charlie (Charlie Sheen) and hopelessly dissatisfied Alan (Jon Cryer), turned out to be, when you imagine what living with her must have been like.

Petunia Dursley (The Harry Potter Movies)

What makes Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw) easily one of the most despicable Harry Potter characters is her terrible role as a parent, but in more than one way. She treats her son, Dudley (Harry Melling), far too well, spoiling him beyond repair. Yet, her treatment of her eponymous orphaned nephew (played by Daniel Radcliffe) is abhorrent, from locking him in a cupboard under the stairs as punishment to making him into her home's indentured servant.

Colleen Donaghy (30 Rock)

Elaine Stritch earned five Emmy nominations for appearing on 30 Rock as the domineering and mercilessly critical mother of Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin), Colleen. Jack once accidentally hit her with his car and, as a result of her unfavorable behavior, proceeded to wait eight minutes before deciding to call 9-1-1.

Ruth DeWitt Bukater (Titanic)

Frances Fisher's role in the Titanic cast, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, is an essential example of an overbearing, elitist, and manipulative movie mother. Perhaps her worst offense is forcing Rose (Kate Winslet) to marry her loathsome fiancé, Cal (Billy Zane), purely for the social status it will earn their family.

Brianna Barksdale (The Wire)

On The Wire, the only thing standing in the way of D'Angelo Barksdale's (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) switch to the right side of the law is his mother. Brianna (Michael Hyatt) is constantly manipulating her son into giving up so much for the benefit of their family's unlawful business, including serving a long prison sentence on behalf of his uncle, Avon (Wood Harris).

Eleanor Shaw Iselin (The Manchurian Candidate)

Discovering that you have been brainwashed into becoming a political assassin is terrifying. Discovering that your own mother is involved in the conspiracy, like what Eleanor Shaw Iselin (Angela Lansbury) does to her son, Raymond (Laurence Harvey), in the 1962's The Manchurian Candidate, is simply devastating.

Endora (Bewitched)

Some of the funniest moments on Bewitched would come courtesy of Agnes Moorehead as Endora, a literal witch who never once held back from expressing her resentment toward her mortal son-in-law, Darrin Stephens (original Dick York and later Dick Sargent). Of course, Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) is as much a victim of her mother's domineerance, and one can only imagine what sorts of wicked things she must have put up with while growing up with her.

Mrs. Robinson (The Graduate)

Watching The Graduate from the perspective of Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross) makes the 1967 dramedy an even more maddening trip. It is bad enough that her mother (played by Anne Bancroft) attempts to ruin her relationship with Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), but to discover that he is her lover, too, sounds like a nightmare.

Irina Derevko (Alias)

To get a more authentic look at what the life of a spy must be like, I would not recommend checking out the James Bond movies, but the hit ABC series, Alias, which follows the adventures of double agent Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner). She was prepped for the traumatic hardships of espionage at an early age when her mother, Irina Derevko (Lena Olin), faked her death, but even that could not prepare her for when Irina betrayed her daughter in favor of the KGB.

Beverly Sutphin (Serial Mom)

The central character of writer and director John Waters' uproarious dark comedy, 1994's Serial Mom, is Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner), a suburban housewife who would never harm her own children. However, she has absolutely no qualms about brutally harming other people for the sake of her children, which does not make things any better, of course.

Maya Lewis (Scandal)

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) had dedicated her life and career to making crises disappear on Scandal. On the other hand, her mother, Maya Lewis (Khandi Alexander), has, ironically, dedicated her life to making them happen. However, Olivia did not know that for almost two decades, and, in fact, she was under the impression that her mother was dead that whole time.

Mrs. Windle Vale (Now, Voyager)

Bette Davis stars in director Irving Rapper's 1942 drama, Now, Voyager, as Charlotte Vale, who longs for independence from her overbearing mother (played by Gladys Cooper), who constantly belittles her with comments about her being an embarrassment to their family. Apparently, Mrs. Vale could not stand the idea of her daughter protesting her dominance because the day she does just happens to be the day she succumbs to a sudden heart attack.

Ida Welker (Malcolm In The Middle)

While Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) could be seen as a mean mom, in retrospect, she put up with a lot while raising her five boys (six if you count Bryan Cranston's Hal) on Malcolm in the Middle. While I have nothing but respect for her, I have nothing but disdain for her mother, Ida (Academy Award winner Cloris Leachman), who is a cold, conniving, and downright horrid woman right to her core.

Zinnia Wormwood (Matilda)

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, 1996's Matilda stars Mara Wilson in the title role of a young girl gifted with telekinetic powers but cursed with despicable adult peers, including her uncaring parents. Not only is her mother, Zinnia Wormwood (Rhea Perlman), a vain, airheaded narcissist, but her father (played by Danny DeVito, who also directs) is just as bad.

Dr. Beverly Hofstadter (The Big Bang Theory)

Almost every member of CBS' The Big Bang Theory cast has a mother with a strong personality, to say the least, but Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) has that claimed unmatched. Psychologist Beverly Hofstadter (Christine Baranski) never bothered to show Leonard any affection, considering she only had children for experimental and research purposes anyway.

Alice Ward (The Fighter)

Melissa Leo gives an Academy Award-winning performance in 2010's fact-based, acclaimed boxing movie, The Fighter, as Alice Ward. The portrayal paints her as a woman who is more concerned with what is best for the athletic careers of her sons, Micky (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky (Christian Bale), than what is best for their well-beings.

Constance Langdon (American Horror Story)

As one of the most frequent recurring American Horror Story actors, Jessica Lange has played an amusing variety of characters on the seasonal horror anthology TV show. However, her scariest role may be the first, Constance Langdon, whose horrid parenting skills and refusal to take responsibility for them have resulted in chaos in her household and for others affected by her children's actions.

Lilly Dillon (The Grifters)

One might assume that Lilly Dillon (Anjelica Huston) would be happy that her son, Roy (John Cusack), has found love with Myra (Annette Bening), who is in the same line of work as she is: con artistry. However, Lilly is the type of mother who does not believe any woman is good enough for her son, which is why she plots to murder Myra in 1990's The Grifters.

Norma Bates (Bates Motel)

We never actually meet Norma Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's seminal 1960 thriller, Psycho, but we can imagine, from the way her son, Norman (Anthony Perkins), takes on her likeness when murdering people, that she was not an easy person to get along with. The A&E original series, Bates Motel, offers an inside look at the complicated relationship between Norma (Vera Farmiga) and young Norman (Freddie Highmore), which is littered with lies, manipulation, and murder.

The 2010s were a transformative decade for movies as directors like Damien Chazelle, Greta Gerwig and Jordan Peele hit the mainstream, and many actors exploded into stardom or gave career-defining performances in movies like theirs. Now, it’s time to celebrate some of the best films of this decade and the performers who starred in them. 

Emma Stone – La La Land 

This ode to Old Hollywood and modern romance from Damien Chazelle is widely beloved in part because of Emma Stone's performance. If you go back to reviews for La La Land, you’ll see Stone and Ryan Gosling praised for their work as they played Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists who fall in love with each other. Notably, Emma Stone won her first Oscar for the film because of the wonderful performance she gave as the up-and-coming actress. 

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

When it comes to Bridesmaids and all its hilarious lines and gags, we all need to say a collective thank you to Kristen Wiig. Not only did the Saturday Night Live alum lead the stellar ensemble cast of this 2011 flick, but she also wrote the movie with Annie Mumolo, and they got an Oscar nomination for it. 

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

Moonlight, which famously won Best Picture in 2017, is a coming-of-age film that follows Chiron through three stages of his life, focusing on him exploring his sexuality and identity. In it, Mahershala Ali plays Juan, a man who has a pivotal role in Chiron’s early life. Famously, Ali won his first Oscar for his moving performance in this film. 

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Get Out is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it marked the directorial debut of Jordan Peele. While this film about the deeply dark turn a trip takes after a white woman brings her Black boyfriend home to meet her family is career-defining for its director – as he’s gone on to become quite the name in the genre – it also marked a major breakout for Daniel Kaluuya who played the film’s lead, Chris. 

Amy Adams – Arrival 

Arrival is unquestionably one of Amy Adams’ best movies, and to this day, folks are still livid that she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for it. She plays Louise, a linguist assigned to decipher and translate an alien language. However, as Arrival’s ending makes abundantly clear, there’s way more to it than that, and one of the major reasons this movie works is because of Adams’ masterful, emotional and nuanced performance. 

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

In Whiplash, one of J.K. Simmons’ best films, he plays a brilliant and brutal jazz conductor and instructor named Terence Fletcher. During the film, Miles Teller plays a young drummer named Andrew who is determined to become great, and his intense relationship with Terence and the notion of being the best is what makes Damien Chazelle’s film magnificent. On top of its overall acclaim, Simmons also won an Oscar for his performance.

Hugh Jackman – Logan 

Logan was Hugh Jackman’s last ride as the Wolverine, and it was basically perfect. While he’s returned to the role since in Deadpool and Wolverine, Logan still serves as a wonderful conclusion to the iconic X-Man’s story. It was also a game-changing Marvel film, as it brought a level of grit and intrigue that we hadn’t really seen in a movie from this universe before. 

Ben Affleck – Argo 

Much like Good Will Hunting, Argo marked a major milestone in Ben Affleck’s career. It was one of the films that solidified him as a top-tier director, and on top of that, he also starred in the film about a CIA agent disguised as a producer who goes into Tehran on a mission to save a group of Americans. Oh, also, the film went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars too. 

Jesse Eisenberg — The Social Network

The Social Network cast is stacked, however, it wouldn’t be what it is without Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Mark Zuckerberg at its center. His nuanced performance which is somehow both collected and chaotic compliments Aaron Sorkin’s fast-talking script perfectly, and he expertly helped build up tension in the film that director David Fincher is known for. All around, that made for a perfect, heart-pounding drama about the rise of Facebook.

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street  

While Leonardo DiCaprio has a long list of career-defining performances, and he and Martin Scorsese have made many great movies together, you can’t deny that his portrayal of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street tops that list. 

Brie Larson – Room

The film Room, which is about a mother and her son escaping captivity, is masterfully led by Brie Larson, who plays Ma. Both she and Jacob Tremblay, who played her son Jack, were praised for their performances, and in 2016, the actress won an Oscar for her work. 

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

Now, I know that Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond was still happening in the 2010s. However, an equally important and brilliant role he took on was as detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s first whodunnit Knives Out. Now, after leading the cast of Knives Out, Craig has gone on to reprise his role as the Southern detective on multiple occasions, because he loves it and so do we. 

Ryan Gosling – Drive

If you look over Ryan Gosling’s best movies, on one side you’ll find his brilliant comedic films – like Barbie and The Nice Guys – and on the other side, you’ll find his stoic and dramatic performance, like the one he gives in Drive. Put simply, Drive wouldn’t work without the actor’s lead performance, because the entire film hinges on him and his abilities. 

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

After years of working to get it made and some well-timed leaked footage, finally, in 2016, Deadpool came out and we got to see Ryan Reynolds in his element as the Merc with a Mouth. 

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea 

In a film about a man returning home to reckon with his past and grief after losing his brother, Casey Affleck gives an emotional and commanding performance. Not only did he win an Oscar for his work in this drama, but it’s also one of the big defining roles of his career. 

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Chris Evans began and ended his tenure as Steve Rogers in the 2010s. While all his outings as the star-spangled man with a plan were excellent, nothing tops his performance as Cap in the political thriller that is the Russo brothers’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is easily one of the best Marvel movies ever made. 

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel 

Under Wes Anderson’s precise direction, Ralph Fiennes occupied the pastel world of the Grand Budapest Hotel with grace and style. His fast-talking M. Gustave went on quite the adventure in this film, and he won over the hearts of audiences with his quick wit, smooth charm and impeccable work ethic. 

Natalie Portman – Black Swan 

Throwing it back to the beginning of the decade, Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan showed us Natalie Portman’s talents in a new light. While she had been on the scene and in big movies for years, this film marked a major milestone in her career as her performance as a tortured ballerina got her an Academy Award. 

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

Obviously, for a couple of decades before this, Matthew McConaughey was known and beloved for fun movies like Dazed and Confused and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. However, in 2013, Dallas Buyers Club marked a notable shift in his career. Not only did he win an Oscar for this dramatic turn as a man who finds out he has AIDS, but he also went on to star in acclaimed projects like Interstellar and True Detective one year later, cementing himself as a magnificent dramatic actor with serious range. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Yes, Jennifer Lawrence leading The Hunger Games cast is one of the biggest triumphs of her career. However, amid all of that, she starred in the beloved dramedy Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper, and that’s the film for which she won her Oscar. This magnificent film about two people learning to live and thrive through grief and mental illness, is a thoughtful and funny film that Lawrence steals with her amazing performance. 

Brad Pitt – Moneyball 

Moneyball is the story about the general manager of the Oakland A’s using his business savvy and what little money his team had to assemble a rag-tag team of MLB players. Brad Pitt plays said manager, Billy Beane, and I mean it when I say the movie really wouldn’t work without him. He’s at the center of it, and he carries it to victory just like his character did with the A’s.  

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther 

We sadly lost Chadwick Boseman way too early, however, his legacy will live on forever. This is in part because of his performance as the King of Wakanda, T’Challa. Black Panther was a historic moment in modern movie history, and his incredible take on the titular hero is a big reason why. 

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya 

Before I, Tonya, Margot Robbie was beloved for her supporting and ensemble roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad. However, one of the movies that helped solidify her as both a leading lady and super producer was I, Tonya. She played Tonya Harding and produced the film under the banner of her company LuckyChap – which went on to make films like Barbie and Promising Young Woman. 

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

Florence Pugh exploded onto the scene with the haunting Ari Aster film Midsommar. The movie is now considered one of the best horror movies of all time, and a big reason why is Pugh’s performance. 

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

Talk about a dynamic duo. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are a match made in heaven, and that was solidified into fact when the actress played the titular Lady Bird in the director’s breakout film. Not only did fans fall in love with Ronan’s performance as the defiant teenage gal, but she also received wide acclaim and an Oscar nomination for it. Plus, it was the beginning of a glorious partnership between her and Greta Gerwig as they then went on to make Little Women together. 

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

These days, when people think of Timothée Chalamet, they likely think of him as Paul Atreides, the leader of the Dune cast. However, before that (and in a different decade) the film that sprung him into the mainstream was Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name. The deeply romantic and tender coming-of-age drama was led beautifully by Chalamet, and since then he’s taken on more roles that have helped cement him as one of the top-leading men of his generation. 

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

If you were a kid in 2012 (like I was), odds are you learned the “Cups” song. The movie about college acapella was a phenomenon in the early 2010s, and it served as a big breakout leading role for Anna Kendrick. Not only was she funny as Becca, but everyone also became aware that she had the singing voice of an angel.  

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

Lupita Nyong’o’s first feature film was 12 Years A Slave. Her performance in the movie by Steve McQueen won her an Oscar in 2012 and solidified her as a top-tier dramatic performer. Since then, she’s gone on to star in massive blockbusters like Black Panther and A Quiet Place: Day One. 

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

There have been many amazing takes on the Joker, and Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck was a totally new one. In Joker, we see the villain’s origin story, and it’s a film that’s unlike any other DC project. The haunting performance ultimately won the actor an Oscar, and he reprised the part again in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

The movie is named after Mad Max, and he’s great, don’t get me wrong, but Furiosa steals the show. Charlize Theron’s performance as the driver in Mad Max: Fury Road is fierce and jaw-dropping, and she’s one of many reasons why George Miller’s movie is considered one of the best action films. 

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

You can’t have Scott Pilgrim vs. The World without a perfect Scott Pilgrim and that’s who Michael Cera is. He perfectly played the awkward yet heroic protagonist in Edgar Wright’s beloved film, and to this day, it's considered some of his best work.

Matt Damon – The Martian

This Ridley Scott movie is literally about one man who is stuck on Mars. Yes, there are other people in the film trying to save him. However, overall, The Martian is Matt Damon’s movie. He plays the stranded astronaut and scientist, and the heart, charisma, intelligence and even humor he brings to the space drama is unforgettable. 

All around, the 2010s were full of films that are on their way to becoming all-time classics, and it’s in part thanks to the brilliant actors who starred in them. 

With a part in the Fantastic Four cast, the starring role in the new Chris Farley biopic, and so many other things on the way, Paul Walter Hauser is about to be everywhere. But, before one of the most interesting and talented actors on the planet kicks off the next stage of his career, which will hopefully include more wrestling appearances, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of his best film and TV appearances from over the years.

From some of the best Spike Lee movies to a couple of great Apple TV+ original series, and so much more, there was a lot to choose from, but we think we covered all the bases in terms of comedy, drama, and some downright terrifying characters. Here are the best Paul Walter Hauser movies and TV shows and how to watch them. 

Black Bird (2022) 

Paul Walter Hauser won a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy for his take on convicted serial killer Larry Hall in the 2022 Apple TV+ limited series, Black Bird, a show so good and twisted even Stephen King was a fan. At times terrifying and others sympathetic, Hauser’s performance brings so much out of the story about Jimmy Keane (Taron Egerton) a convicted drug dealer sent to prison in hopes of getting Hall to confess to committing some heinous crimes. But, it proves to be much more complicated than that.

Stream Black Bird on Apple TV+.

I, Tonya (2017)

Though Hauser had been around a while by the time he appeared in Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya, his portrayal of Shawn Eckardt helped take the actor to the next level. Tonya Harding’s (Margot Robbie) bodyguard and one of the ringleaders of the plot to take out Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver), Eckardt is both a menacing figure and an overconfident and bumbling fool, a dynamic that is pulled off masterfully by Hauser’s command and versatility.

Stream I, Tonya on Max.
Rent/Buy I, Tonya on Amazon.

Richard Jewell (2019)

If Shawn Eckardt was one of Paul Walter Hauser’s most detestable characters, his titular performance in Richard Jewell has to be one of his most sympathetic. This 2019 Clint Eastwood biopic centers on the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta, Georgia, and how Richard Jewell (a hero who saved countless lives) was treated like a criminal by the FBI and media outlets around the world. One of the best 2019 Oscar snubs, this movie is made all the better thanks to Hauser’s touching and empowering performance. 

Rent/Buy Richard Jewell on Amazon.

Cobra Kai (2019 - Present)

Throughout the middle portion of Cobra Kai’s run, Paul Walter Hauser took on the role of Raymond "Stingray" Porter, one of the most complicated characters on the Netflix original series. From his days of trying to join Cobra Kai as an escape and doing everything he can to win to help save the day during the Cobra Kai Season 5 finale, Stingray was part of some major moments. 

Stream Cobra Kai on Netflix. 

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman features electric performances from the likes of John David Washington, Adam Driver, and Topher Grace, but one that shouldn’t be overlooked is Paul Walter Hauser’s portrayal of Ivanhoe. A caricature of a stereotypical KKK member more than an honest character, Ivanhoe is an over-the-top, unapologetic, moronic, and dangerous racist who is at the center of some of the movie’s most memorable scenes, including his last.

Stream BlacKkKlansman on Prime Video.

Orion And The Dark (2024)

Before showing off his skills in Inside Out 2, Hauser lent his voice to one of the titular characters in the 2024 Netflix animated movie, Orion and the Dark. The incredibly moving film follows a young boy named Orion (Jacob Tremblay) as he's taken on an eye-opening and life-changing journey through the night with Hauser’s Dark, the embodiment of the 11-year-old’s fears. Great voice acting, animation, and lessons make this a family-friendly movie you won’t want to miss.

Stream Orion and the Dark on Netflix.

Kingdom (2014 - 2017)

A couple of years before he became one of the most interesting big-screen actors, Paul Walter Hauser landed a recurring role on Kingdom, an Audience Network drama series about a Venice, California, MMA gym and the people caught in its gravitational pull. Hauser took on the role of Keith, a former convict trying to change his life for the better while also overcoming his past. Though not the star of the show, the actor made a name for himself here.

Stream Kingdom on Peacock.
Buy Kingdom on Amazon.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Hauser worked with Spike Lee again in the director’s 2020 drama, which is one of the best Vietnam war movies, Da 5 Bloods. He comes into the picture kind of late in the game as Simon, a LAMB volunteer clearing old landmines in the jungle when he meets the core group looking for their long-lost treasure. The role again allowed Hauser to show his on-screen talent and rub shoulders like the likes of Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, and Jean Reno.

Stream Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.

Cruella (2021)

If you want to see a Paul Walter Hauser performance that blurs the line between good guy and villain, look no further than his take on Horace in Cruella. The lifelong friend and accomplice of Emma Stone’s Estella/Cruella, Horace is a fun and lovable petty thief, who, despite being rather unsavory, has a heart of gold with shades of Bob Hoskin’s Smee from Hook.

Stream Cruella on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Cruella on Amazon.

The Afterparty (2023)

When The Afterparty came back for a second season, and a completely new story, fans of Hauser’s work were stoked to see his involvement in the hilarious Apple TV+ murder mystery comedy. He plays Travis Gladrise, a “citizen detective” and ex-boyfriend of the season’s prime suspect, and it’s just great. Hauser, who excels in these types of roles, is especially on point throughout this mystery.

Stream The Afterparty on Apple TV+.

Beats (2019)

Netflix’s 2019 coming-of-age music drama, Beats, follows Romelo Reese (Anthony Anderson), a struggling producer who takes a high school student and hop-hop prodigy under his wing in hopes of turning both of their fortunes around. Paul Walter Hauser comes into the picture as Terrence, a label owner who shares a rocky past with Romelo. Hauser does a masterful job of wearing pain, resentment, and animosity, and makes the character feel like a real person.

Stream Beats on Netflix.

Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm (2022)

The actor also appeared in Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm, a 2022 movie based on the OG Adult Swim series. In this wild home video release, he takes on the role of Elmer, a scientist working under Neil (Peter Serafinowicz), the main antagonist. In typical Aqua Teen Hunger Force fashion, this movie is wild and full of strange humor, which works really well for someone like Hauser. 

Stream Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm on Max.
Rent/Buy Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm on Amazon.

With Paul Walter Hauser set to appear in several of the biggest films on the 2024 movie schedule, there’s a good chance we’ll be making some changes to this run-down of his best movies and TV shows in no time at all. 

It's often said that biopics are nothing more than "Oscar bait" for the actors involved, but the great ones are so much better than that, and baiting Oscar for one doesn't always work, anyway. So whether you watch them for the history or the performances, here is a list of some of our favorite biopics. 

Golda

2023's Golda didn't get the best reviews when it was released, except for Helen Mirren's spectacular performance as the titular Golda Mier. Mirren is unrecognizable in the role, both due to the incredible work by the makeup department, and her acting. It also gives a good history lesson, which isn't always the case with biopics. 

Chaplin

Robert Downey, Jr. had an infamously rough decade in the 1990s, but it started with a bang, as he starred as the legendary Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin. Downey nailed the role, even learning how to play tennis left-handed for the part. It was the first real glimpse at Downey's range as an actor and it earned him a well-deserved Oscar nomination. 

What's Love Got To Do With It

The life of the late, great Tina Turner is one of heartbreak and triumph. The film based on it, What's Love Got To Do With It, succeeds in showing both sides. Angela Bassett's performance as Turner leaves audiences stunned as she just crushes every aspect of the role, from the hard-to-watch personal moments with Turner's ex-husband Ike, to those moments on stage where she was second to none. 

Amadeus

Amadeus, starring F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri and Tom Hulce as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is just a wonderful movie. Director Milos Foreman and the actors, playing rival composers in 18th century Austria were clearly having a good time filming this movie, but where it needs to be serious, it is. It's no surprise it won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Abraham. 

Gandhi

Winning eight Oscars is a good sign of a great movie, and Gandhi is an epic one. Ben Kingsley might be a controversial choice to play India's most important historical figure, but he just crushes the role, winning an Oscar for his portrayal of the celebrated pacifist. The film also won Best Picture and Best Director for Sir Richard Attenborough. 

I, Tonya

Anyone in Gen X knows the story of I, Tonya by heart. The names Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan, Jeff Gillooly, and Shawn Eckardt are part of the cultural zeitgeist. Knowing the story doesn't make the movie less enjoyable, though. In fact, just the opposite. Learning Harding's story from the beginning brings new understanding and compassion for the figure skater at the center of the movie. Margot Robbie is fantastic as well, earning an Oscar nomination in the process. 

Malcolm X

Denzel Washington is powerful as Malcolm X in Spike Lee's Malcolm X. The film was a major cultural moment when it was released in 1992. Critics praised both Washington's performance and Lee's direction, and the film has gone a long way to present Malcolm X's full character and not just the firebrand he's most known as. 

Frida

Salma Hayak made a lot of believers out of audiences with her spot-on portrayal of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It's fair to say Hayak wasn't given the respect she deserved as an actress before the film, but she would never be doubted after it. In fact, the whole cast is great. 

Milk

At the heart of Milk are the two amazing performances by Sean Penn (Harvey Milk) and Josh Brolin (as Milk's killer Dan White). If ever there was a person worthy of a biopic, it was Harvey Milk, the politician and gay activist who was murdered while serving in the local San Francisco government. His story was almost untold in society and this movie changed that. 

Priscilla

Sophia Coppola's 2023 biopic, Priscilla, about Priscilla Presley, is a rarity, in that it's about the woman behind the man. Her marriage to Elvis was always in the news, but rarely was it from any perspective other than his. Finally, fans were able to see it from Priscilla's side, and it makes the marriage all the more fascinating. 

Lawrence Of Arabia

Lawrence Of Arabia may play fast and loose with the facts regarding T.E. Lawrence's life, but there's no way to make a list like this without including one of the greatest movies of all time. Volumes have been written about the movie, so we'll just say, if you've never watched it, you should. All three hours and 38 minutes of it. You won't regret it. 

Raging Bull

What can one say about Robert De Niro's performance in Raging Bull? It's one of the greatest roles of all time. Of course, he won the Academy Award, and of course, it'll be remembered forever, but that doesn't even scratch the surface of how good it really is. He lost weight, he gained weight, and he did everything he could to make Jake LaMotta the role of a lifetime. 

Hidden Figures

Audiences get three for the price of one with 2016's Hidden Figures. The movie tells the little-known story of Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) and the work they did for NASA.

Capote

Put simply, Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant in Capote. He captures the mannerisms and voice of the author perfectly and really, one could just watch B-roll of Hoffman in character and be mesmerized. The role earned him a well-deserved Oscar and the rest of the cast and the story itself are just as good. 

Rocketman

It's always a little hard to watch biopics of people who are still living and have lots and lots of actual film footage of themselves. Rocketman is one such case. Taron Egerton's award-winning performance as the legendary Elton John is still worth a watch, plus, the movie is just a ton of fun, even if it doesn't get all the facts correct. 

Elvis

Leave it to Baz Luhrmann to re-invent how to make a biopic. Elvis is like no other biography before it. Part musical, part music video, and part biography, the movie is, luckily, grounded in Austin Butler's fantastic performance as Elvis Presley. Even if Luhrmann's style isn't your bag, it's worth a watch for Butler alone. 

Erin Brockavich

Erin Brockovich is proof positive the subject of a biopic doesn't need to be famous. Julia Roberts is a powerhouse as the titular character in maybe the best performance of her career. 

Selena

Believe it or not, there was a time when Jennifer Lopez wasn't one of the biggest stars on the planet. In fact, it was 1997's Selena that really launched her career into superstardom. She's magnificent in the movie about the Tejano star who was tragically murdered at the height of her fame. Lopez is perfect in the role, playing a singer who dazzled her legions of fans, just like JLo herself does. 

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody, about Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) and Queen, isn't a perfect movie. It gets a lot of the facts wrong, and outside of Mercury, we don't learn much about the rest of the band. Still, Malek's performance is amazing, and it makes sense why they chose to end the movie with the legendary LiveAid performance, even if it meant changing some of the facts. 

Coal Miner's Daughter

1980's Coal Miner's Daughter has a stacked cast. Tommy Lee Jones, Levon Helm, and Beverly D'Angelo all put in great work here, but they are all outshined by Sissy Spacek in the lead role, playing country music legend Loretta Lynn. Based on Lynn's autobiography, it tells the story of how she rose from desperate poverty in rural Kentucky to the biggest stages in the world, and it's a wonderful, bittersweet, triumphant ride. 

Ray

Jamie Foxx is transcendent as Ray Charles in Ray. Foxx won all the awards. Literally all of them, becoming just the second actor to win the Golden Globe, the BAFTA, the Oscar, The SAG Award, and the Critics Choice Award for his performance. In a word, it's brilliant. It's rare for a performance of a person audiences are so familiar with, as they were with Charles, to work so well, but that's how good Foxx is. 

The Iron Lady

It's not hard to believe that Meryl Streep would put in one of her best performances playing a historical figure as she does with Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. For fans of political history, this movie is a much watch on either side of the Atlantic. Streep plays the former Prime Minister exactly how you'd want, with power and grace and even if you disagree with her politics, you can't deny her story is amazing. 

The Aviator

No one in Hollywood history has been better suited to play the mercurial Howard Hughes than Leonardo DiCaprio is, and he proves it in The Aviator. From young movie producer to a hot shot pilot to a mentally ill old man, DiCaprio hits all the right notes as Hughes through his life. 

Elizabeth

The biggest criticism of Elizabeth is that the historical facts are a jumbled-up mess and that's fair. The timeline is all over the place, for starters, but sometimes good storytelling requires a... re-imagining of events, as it were. Elizabeth is great storytelling, with Cate Blanchett playing the titular queen so well, we can look the other way a little bit here.  

Notorious

The best aspect of Notorious is not that it's about the Notorious B.I.G., but that it's more about Christopher Wallace, the man who would become Biggie. It's been rightfully praised for focusing more on the man behind the persona, than the persona itself. Jamal Woolard is great, as is the supporting cast, including Angela Bassett as Wallace's mother, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur. 

Gorillas In The Mist

Gorillas in the Mist is as triumphant and tragic as its subject's life. Dian Fossey, played by Sigourney Weaver, who won the Best Actress Oscar for the role, did more to save the gorillas in Rwanda than any other single person, and for that, she was likely murdered. Her murder remains an unsolved mystery, but there is no mystery as to why Gorillas in the Mist is worthy of this list.  

Judy

Like so many other films on this list, Judy is anchored by a career-defining performance by Renee Zellweger as the iconic Judy Garland. The film's structure is brilliant as well, allowing audiences into the tragic last year of Garland's life while celebrating all the great moments of her career when she was younger. 

The Doors

Val Kilmer completely transforms himself into Jim Morrison in The Doors. Watching the movie, audiences get lost in the performance, completely unable to separate the performer from his part. The rest of the cast, led by Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley, and Kevin Dillon are also amazing, plus Crispin Glover's turn as Andy Warhol leaves one giddy. 

Walk The Line

Walk The Line is ostensively about Johnny Cash, but it's just as much about June Carter Cash as it is about her husband. Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix were both nominated for their roles, but only Witherspoon won, because as good as Phoenix is – and he's fantastic – Witherspoon is stone-cold brilliant. 

Jackie

Natalie Portman racked up the award nominations for her portrayal of Jackie Kennedy in Jackie and with good reason. Her performance features the highs and lows of Kennedy's life as first lady, and is wonderful. It would be so easy for this one to fall into a trap of knowing too much about the subject going in, and though we all do, the movie still works brilliantly. 

Patton

Even 80 or so years after World War II ended, General George S. Patton is still a controversial figure. Actor George C. Scott weaves a wonderful performance as the famous general in Patton, just as anyone would want. You understand why he was great, but you see all the flaws that made him so polarizing. It's a hard line to walk, but Scott does it well. 

Lincoln

When you watch a performance like Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln, it's easy to understand why the actor decided to retire. He so encompasses the role, it has to be completely exhausting, just as Abraham Lincoln was exhausted toward the end of the Civil War, as the movie shows. The film can be slow at times, but the history is spot on and the acting is amazing. 

Biopics are reliably great opportunities for actors to win awards, but that's not the only reason we love them, and these movies prove that they are more than just the performances. 

It was immediately clear that Margot Robbie was destined for stardom when she blew down the doors to the mainstream with her scene-stealing performance in The Wolf of Wall Street. However, even then, I do not believe anyone was fully prepared for the versatility of talent that she was capable of.

The Australian-born, three-time Academy Award nominee has become one of the most celebrated performers of her time for the striking believability and irresistible charisma she has brought to roles like Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe, and title role of the Barbie cast, among plenty of others. Let’s take a look at some of her best performances as we rank our picks for the best Margot Robbie movies below, starting with Number 10.

10. Mary Queen Of Scots (2018)

Many actors have taken on the challenge of portraying one of the most seminal figures in history, Queen Elizabeth I, but the nearly unrecognizable Robbie’s embodiment of the English monarch is far up there. Her bold, commanding performance opposite Saoirse Ronan as her eponymous cousin in Mary Queen of Scots – a dramatization of the royal relatives’ quarrel over supremacy from director Josie Rourke – makes for a powerful stand-off fit for the throne.

9. Birds Of Prey (2020)

Despite having the honor of being an Oscar-winning superhero movie (for Best Makeup), 2016’s Suicide Squad is not one of the more widely beloved DC movies. However, one thing fans could agree on is Robbie’s inspired, live-action portrayal of Harley Quinn, which later earned her a spin-off movie that also serves as a fun, action-packed female-driven ensemble piece. 

The actor (who also produces) brings her version of the clownish, fan-favorite Batman villain to her full potential in director Cathy Yan’s shamelessly brutal, candy-colored, comedic thriller, which is titled Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn in full.

8. Focus (2015)

Robbie currently has in development an Ocean’s Eleven prequel movie – a gig that she already proved she was perfect for in one of the best Will Smith movies, Focus. It stars Robbie as a wannabe con artist taken under the wing of an experienced veteran (played by Smith), but when their relationship becomes more than professional and comes to an abrupt end, it leads to a complicated reunion that evolves into a battle of wits. 

Written and helmed by Glenn Ficara and John Requa – the directorial duo behind Crazy Stupid Love - the future Suicide Squad cast members in the lead elevate this into more than a typical, old fashioned, fun and sexy crime thriller.

7. The Suicide Squad (2021) 

While Birds of Prey unlocked the full potential of Robbie’s Harley Quinn, I believe the film that really sees her at her best in the role  – and the best movie about Task Force X yet – is The Suicide Squad. 

Writer and director James Gunn earned his spot as head of the upcoming DC movies slate by demonstrating a firm understanding of what makes these particular bad guys so good – especially Robbie’s Clown Princess of Crime. Robbie is in a squad all her own with a hilarious performance that shows a deeper side of the character, which also comes through in some gorgeously constructed action sequences depicted from her warped perspective.  

6. Barbie (2023)

Considering how Margot Robbie practically already resembles a Barbie doll come to life, casting her in a feature adaptation of Mattel’s massively popular toy line is just too perfect. 

Of course, the star’s looks and impressive comedic sensibilities in the often self-parodic role are just one of the reasons why co-writer and director Greta Gerwig’s seismic blockbuster succeeds. Scoring eight 2024 Academy Award nominations – including Best Picture – Barbie is a visually striking, cleverly hilarious, and surprisingly moving commentary on what the eponymous doll was really made for and how she truly can be an inspiration to women everywhere.

5. Bombshell (2019)

Speaking of which, a more grounded film with an even more important and urgent message is director Jay Roach’s Bombshell, which is inspired by the events leading up to Roger Ailes’ exit from Fox News amid numerous sexual assault allegations. 

Margot Robbie earned her second Academy Award nomination for playing Kayla Pospisil, who is not based on one person, but represents many young women who fell prey to the former CEO’s predatory behavior. Her devastating portrayal of the young, aspiring reporter’s fall from grace and eventual courageous upswing propels this already empowering dramatization of a momentous moment in history.

4. Babylon (2022)

The critics and audiences who reacted poorly to Babylon must not have been hoping to see a visually arresting, thoroughly dazzling, and deeply heartbreaking ode to the power of cinema. In addition to the pristine cinematography, gorgeous production design, Justin Hurwitz’s rousing score, and director Damien Chazelle’s incendiary script, much of the credit for this period drama’s captivatingly erratic energy goes to Margot Robbie’s incomparably brash performance as Nellie LaRoy – a natural-born star who becomes a devastating figure of self-destruction as the story traces Hollywood’s transition out of the Silent Era.

3. I, Tonya (2017)

In the ‘90s, otherwise highly-talented figure skater Tonya Harding’s lower-class upbringing gave her an unfavorable reputation in the athletic community that was only worsened by her then-husband’s involvement in a scandalous attack against her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan. 

However, her toughest critics might be willing to change their tune when witnessing the story through her own eyes in director Craig Gillespie’s I, Tonya. Margot Robbie earned her first Academy Award nomination for her impassioned, remarkably sympathetic, and transformative performance as the infamous former Olympian that spins this already refreshingly original biopic into, nearly, a perfect 10.

2. Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019)

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a cheekily funny and absolutely exhilarating slice of alternative history (circa 1969) and told mostly from the point of view of fictional characters – actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt in an Oscar-winning performance). However, many key scenes feature Margot Robbie in a portrayal of Sharon Tate so convincing that it brought tears to the late starlet’s sister, Debra. 

The film, arguably, could have used more of Robbie’s extraordinary charm, but her otherwise brief appearances are pivotal to the story and why this passionate love letter to cinema’s Silver Age is one of Tarantino’s best movies yet.

1. The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

Admittedly, Margot Robbie’s limited screen time in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is the one aspect that keeps me from ranking it at Number One instead of another great Leonardo DiCaprio-led movie that utilizes her luminous onscreen presence and impeccable skill to the absolute fullest and would make her a star in the process. 

In fact, I consider her fearless performance as Naomi LaPaglia to be the true secret weapon of The Wolf of Wall Street – a manic cautionary tale based on the memoir by former stock-broker Jordan Belfort (played by DiCaprio). As I said before, there was no question Robbie was destined to be a star from the way she first walks onto the screen, helping make one of the best Martin Scorsese movies of the 21st century one of the legendary filmmaker’s all-time finest classics.

Of course, we should not forget some of the films that feature Margot Robbie in much smaller, but no less memorable roles. For instance, when she stole the show as Charlotte in 2013’s romantic, modern time travel classic, About Time, or made a cameo as herself explaining some financial concept while taking a bubble bath in The Big Short from 2015. In whatever capacity she is featured, the actor never fails to light up the screen and Hollywood is better for it.

You know what all of the best sports movies have in common? Well, besides featuring stories centered around football, baseball, and even roller derby? They all include tremendous performances by actors that are believable and help the audience suspend disbelief, if only for a couple of hours. However, there are also movies where the actors, despite trying their best, are a little bit outside. 

Here are 32 times actors played professional athletes and whether or not they were believable.

Burt Reynolds (The Longest Yard)

Considered to be one of the best football movies of all time, The Longest Yard (the 1974 version) features a tremendous performance by the late Burt Reynolds as Paul Crewe, a former pro quarterback who ends up in prison and leads a group of prisoners against the guards in the annual football game. At the top of his game, Reynolds is a lights-out QB and play-caller in this iconic comedy.

Margot Robbie (I, Tonya)

Margot Robbie is to die for in the 2017 sports biopic, I, Tonya, which sees her take on the role of Tonya Harding, the talented and raw figure skater who made a mark on the sport before being tied up in its most notorious controversy. While Robbie’s off-the-ice scenes are superb, her figure skating was just as impressive, which should come as no surprise.

Jamie Foxx (Any Given Sunday)

Oliver Stone’s 1999 satirical sports dramedy, Any Given Sunday, sees Jamie Foxx portray Willie "Steamin" Beamen, the third-string quarterback for the fictional Miami Sharks football team. Foxx is outstanding in his take on the young QB and does a wonderful job of showcasing the character’s on-field talents and off-the-field escapades.

Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby)

Hilary Swank won an Oscar for her portrayal of Margaret "Maggie" Fitzgerald in Best Picture winner, Million Dollar Baby, and rightfully so. The talented actress told CBS News she spent three months training at a Brooklyn boxing gym before filming Clint Eastwood’s 2004 sports drama, and it shows.

Sylvester Stallone (Rocky)

Rocky is without a doubt the most well-known boxing movie of all time, and that’s mostly due to Sylvester Stallone’s commitment to the role of Rocky Balboa. Though not as bulked up as he was in later films in the franchise, Stallone has a great physical presence and ring awareness in his breakout role.

Kevin Costner (Tin Cup)

If Kevin Costner isn’t believable as a down-on-his-luck and washed-up golf pro looking for a shot at redemption and to settle an old score in Tin Cup, then I don’t know what will sell it to you. Sure, Costner seems more comfortable in baseball movies like Bull Durham and For Love of the Game, but his take on Roy McAvoy is top-notch. 

Emma Stone (Battle Of The Sexes) 

Emma Stone played tennis trailblazer Bille Jean King in the 2017 sports biopic, Battle of the Sexes, which saw her take on Steve Carell’s Bobby Riggs in the famous 1973 match of the same name. The Oscar winner does a great job when it comes to every aspect of the role, including those tense tennis scenes.

Geena Davis (A League Of Their Own)

Geena Davis looks, feels, and acts like a professional baseball player in A League of Their Own. There’s no need to suspend your disbelief when watching Davis’ Dottie Hinson lead the Rockford Peaches to one victory after another. The physicality, the presence, the believability are all there.

Chadwick Boseman (42)

Chadwick Boseman became a massive star in 2013 thanks to his celebrated portrayal of Jackie Robinson, the Professional Baseball Hall of Famer who broke the color barrier more than a half-century earlier. Boseman, who died in August 2020, was phenomenal in his performance and made the film’s various baseball sequences incredibly realistic.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire)

Okay, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s take on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell in Jerry Maguire is killer, even when you take out the classic “Show me the money” scene. He’s cocky, brash, and hard to deal with, but he can back it up and makes the big catch to earn his team a playoff berth. We’ll let the off-field antics slide…

Tim Robbins (Bull Durham)

Bull Durham, one of the best baseball movies of all time, sees Tim Robbins play Ebby “Nuke” LaLoosh, a hot-shot young pitcher with a “million-dollar arm, but a five-cent head.” And the six-foot-five-inch Robbins very much looked and acted like a talented yet undisciplined ball player. 

Wesley Snipes (Major League)

Wesley Snipes’ Wille Mays Hayes, who could run like Hayes but not hit like Mays in Major League, was a convincing ball player in the 1989 sports classic. Yeah, he had trouble hitting the ball (part of his character), but he had unmatched speed. The scene where he runs in his pajamas in spring training is still the stuff of legend.

Charlie Sheen (Major League)

If you were to build the ultimate baseball movie team, Charlie Sheen’s Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from Major League would have a permanent spot as the closer. To pull off the dominant pitcher’s fastball, Sheen took it to the extreme and tried out steroids, as he later told Sports Illustrated. 

Damon Wayans (The Last Boy Scout)

Tony Scott’s The Last Boy Scout is an all-time great buddy action movie, one that also features a former professional football player, or at least an actor playing one. Though we don’t see his character in action on the field, Damon Wayans just gives off the energy of a pro quarterback who lost it all. 

Carl Weathers (Rocky)

Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed was one of the linchpins of the Rocky franchise and served as one of Sylvester Stallone’s best on-screen opponents. Weathers not only looked like a boxer with that ridiculous physique of his (especially in the later movies), but he also had that “it” factor needed to play such a flashy character.

Tom Berenger (Major League)

It’s hard to imagine anyone besides Tom Berenger playing Jake Taylor, the veteran catcher with bad knees and just enough gas left in the tank, in Major League. Throughout the movie, it feels like the Cleveland Indians’ senior slugger has been through the wringer multiple times, and that’s thanks to the incredible work of Berenger.

Chris Hemsworth (Rush)

Ron Howard’s 2013 sports biopic, Rush, features top-notch performances by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl as James Hunt and Niki Lauda, respectively. While Brühl is great with his cool and collected demeanor, it’s Hemsworth who steals the show with his take on the self-confident and talented Formula One driver, thanks in part to the actor’s electric personality and physicality.

Paul Newman (Slap Shot)

There was no way we weren’t going to talk about Paul Newman in Slap Shot. Seriously, try to think about this beloved hockey movie with anyone else taking on Charlestown Chiefs player/coach Reggie Dunlop. Is he the most talented skater on the ice? No. But is believable in his portrayal of good, old-fashioned hockey? You bet! 

James Caan (Brian's Song)

Though James Caan was mostly recognized for his work in the latter half of Brian’s Song, this shouldn’t discount his portrayal of Brian Piccolo before he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. His take on the Chicago Bears halfback, along with Billie Dee Williams’ Gale Sayers, is phenomenal, to say the least.

Denzel Washington (The Hurricane)

Denzel Washington gave a commanding performance in the 1999 sports biopic, The Hurricane, which saw him take on the role of middleweight boxer Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter, who spent nearly 20 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder. Washington, once again proving he’s one of the greatest to do it, excels in the ring.

Keanu Reeves (The Replacements)

Audiences never got to see Keanu Reeves’ Johnny Utah throw a pass in Point Break, but we did get to watch the actor play another left-handed quarterback from Ohio State with his portrayal of Shane Falco in The Replacements. This is a "whatever" movie if there’s ever been one, but Reeves looks at home leading the Washington Sentinels after the regular players go on strike.

John Goodman (The Babe)

John Goodman looks like Babe Ruth in the 1992 sports biopic, The Babe, but he doesn’t really play like the Great Bambino. This isn’t a knock on Goodman’s talents as an actor, it’s just that it’s impossible to accurately imitate the unmatched talents of one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore)

Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore will probably always be considered one of the best sports comedies of all time. The movie is heavy on both humor and sports (especially if you include the hockey scenes), and Sandler pulls off both things really well. 

Raquel Welch (Kansas City Bomber)

In the 1972 sports drama, Kansas City Bomber, the late Raquel Welch played K.C. Carr, a recently retired roller games star who returns to sport to settle an old score. No surprise, Welch was great in the movie and was a dominant physical force on skates.

Robert De Niro (Raging Bull)

One of Robert De Niro’s best movies, Raging Bull, sees the Oscar winner take on the role of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta at various stages in his life and career. De Niro, who went through a physical transformation for the part, could hold his own in the movie’s various boxing sequences and never looked out of place.

Robert Redford (The Natural)

Would saying Robert Redford looked natural in his take on Roy Hobbs in The Natural be too on the nose? Who cares! Redford’s boyish charm and remarkable swing of his trusty bat, “Wonderboy,” helped make Barry Levinson’s 1972 sports drama an all-time classic. 

Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Not only was Mickey Rourke outstanding in Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, but the actor’s portrayal of a washed-up Randy Robinson was also incredibly realistic. Whether he was in the ring or trying to fix the broken pieces of his life in the real world, Rourke bled, cried, and sweated like someone who had been in the squared circle for decades, not months.  

Tom Selleck (Mr. Baseball)

Mr. Baseball is one of those movies that feels like it should have been a much bigger deal, but here we are 30-plus years later with a baseball comedy that never really gets talked about anywhere besides the MLB Network. Despite this, Tom Selleck’s take on Jack Elliot, a New York Yankee who joins the Nagoya Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League, is both fun and believable. Come on, the Blood Bloods star even took an at-bat in an MLB spring training game a year before the film’s release.

Dwayne Johnson (The Tooth Fairy)

Dwayne Johnson, one of the greatest WWE Champions of all time, and a former college football player for the Miami Hurricanes, played a hockey player in the 2010 Disney movie, The Tooth Fairy. The Rock is great in just about anything, but not so much on the ice.

Will Smith (Ali)

Will Smith received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s 2001 epic sports biopic, Ali, and he did a decent enough job. The major problem with Smith’s performance doesn’t really have much to do with the actor, but instead, the man he was playing. Smith is great in the boxing sequences, but it’s hard to believe that he’s the greatest of all time and not an actor playing the iconic sports figure.

Dennis Quaid (The Rookie)

Dennis Quaid’s portrayal of Jim Morris in The Rookie is nothing short of magical. The way Quaid plays the high school chemistry teacher who becomes a major league pitcher more than a decade after his baseball dreams died is a lot of fun and believable. He has the heart and determination of the real-life Tamp Bay Devil Rays pitcher, which really carries the film.

Steve McQueen (Le Mans)

If there was a movie where Steve McQueen drives a car at a high rate of speed, you can guarantee the legendary actor looked natural doing so. That’s the case with the 1971 film, Le Mans, in which McQueen played Michael Delaney, a racer with a guilty conscience following a tragic accident. McQueen, who had experience as a race driver, looked like a natural.

Playing a professional sport is no easy task and takes years of training and dedication, but these actors did a fine job of playing athletes on the big screen. While some were better than others, each gave all they had.

Actors find their inspiration in all sorts of places. Jared Leto has become famous for the way he tries to inhabit a character even when the camera is not rolling. Some, like Christian Bale, have been known to physically transform themselves in order to be in the right frame of mind. Margot Robbie has perhaps a somewhat different tactic, as she equates characters to animals and uses them to inspire her characters. 

In an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show the Babylon star talked about her process. The actress has a movement coach, who works with her, and has since her Oscar nominated performance in I, Tonya. She explained how her performance as Tonya Harding was inspired by two animals, one off the ice, and one on it. Robbie said… 

It’s certainly not uncommon to compare people to animals, be it in the way they move or the way their attitude presents itself. And since so much of acting is portraying a character without words, it’s not that surprising to hear that an actor is using a coach to help with a character’s movement in the same way they might use a coach to learn a dialect or fight choreography.

And we have to say that as far as I, Tonya goes, it really sees to have worked. The actress got so into Tonya Harding as a pitbull that Robbie punched her co-star in the head

Of course, if you’re going to ask Margot Robbie about what animals inspired her characters, you have to ask about her current character, Nellie LaRoy in Damian Chazelle’s Babylon. She is also apparently two animals at once. Robbie continues…

While I’m not sure anybody would have said while watching Babylon that Margot Robbie reminded them of an octopus, having now heard her say it, it does fit. And certainly, there is at least one scene in Babylon where Robbie’s character gets quite fierce and very much takes on the viciousness of the honey badger. As the actress explained…

It makes one want to go back and watch all of Margot Robbie's roles and see what animals she may have been inspired by. You can see her play an octopus and a honey badger in Babylon now. I wonder what animal Barbie is?

Whenever the conversation of the best living actors and actresses starts up, one name that doesn’t come up enough is Allison Janney. Seriously, over the course of her career, the talented film, TV, and stage star has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, seven Primetime Emmy Awards, dozens of other accolades, including two Tony nominations, and appears to be a genuinely amazing person.

Don’t believe me? Well, just take a look at some of the best Allison Janney movies and TV shows that show off everything she’s working with, whether it be comedy, drama, or one of the most respected series of all time (which she has referenced time and again). And just in case you want to check these out for yourself, we’ve included streaming links and other ways to give them a spin.

To Leslie (2022) 

Michael Morris’ grueling 2022 drama film, To Leslie, centers on Andrea Riseborough’s titular character after she wins nearly $200,000 in a West Texas lottery that could forever change the course of her life and bring an end to her lifelong downward spiral. But instead, the fortune is squandered, leaving Leslie, her son, James (Owen Teague), her mother, Nancy (Allison Janney), and everyone else in her orbit to pick up the pieces.

Riseborough’s incredible and incredibly heart-wrenching portrayal of a woman in crisis is astounding, as is the rest of the cast, including Janney. The Academy Award-winning actress shines in the role of a loving yet fed-up mother, and she provides the emotional anchor throughout stretches of the movie.

Rent/buy To Leslie on Amazon.

Lou (2022) 

The 2022 Netflix movie, Lou, sees Allison Janney try her hand in the world of action thrillers in a movie that sees her take on the role of a former CIA agent living on an island off the coast of Washington. When her tenant’s former lover, who was presumed dead, shows up in town and kidnaps his daughter, Janney’s Lou Adell becomes the young girl’s only chance.

Anna Foerster’s tense thriller is full of twists and turns, with major revelations being brought to the surface throughout its nearly two-hour runtime. Janney is especially convincing as a former field agent with secrets (and skills) she wishes to keep hidden.

Stream Lou on Netflix.

I, Tonya (2017)

Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Tonya Harding was at the center of the 2017 biographical drama, but it was Allison Janney who stole the show, and won her first Academy Award for her take on the infamous figure skater’s mother, LaVona Golden. How the actress played the abusive mother who pushed her daughter to greatness but also down a troubled path was nothing short of masterful.

What’s really impressive about Janney’s performance in Craig Gillespie’s shocking and wickedly funny sports drama, which also netted her a Golden Globe, is that there are times where it’s hard to tell if you’re watching the real LaVona Golden or an actress. And the mockumentary style of the picture also gives Janney’s character even more time to shine.

Stream I, Tonya on Hulu.
Buy/rent I, Tonya on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon. 

The West Wing (1999 - 2006)

Over the years, there have been several great TV shows set in the White House, like Veep and House of Cards, but neither of those or others like them hold a candle to the greatness that was Aaron Sorkin’s landmark series, The West Wing. And who had a prominent role in the show’s expansive ensemble cast? None other than Allison Janney, whose character, C.J. Cregg, went from Press Secretary to Chief of Staff by series end. 

Janney won an impressive four Primetime Emmy Awards (twice as a Supporting Actress, twice for Lead Actress), four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a whole slew of nominations and other accolades. I think the hardware speaks volumes about Janney and her breakout role. And don’t get me started on her walk and talk technique.

Stream The West Wing on HBO Max.
Buy The West Wing on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon. 

Juno (2007)

As far as movie moms go, there are few that are in the same category as Bren MacGuff (Allison Janney) in Jason Reitman’s 2007 coming-of-age comedy, Juno. When Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) becomes pregnant at a young age and decides to go through with the pregnancy and give up the baby for adoption, her stepmom is right there beside her through it all and is supportive as can be, even though she is under no obligation to be so.

In a movie that is also filled with tremendous and heartfelt performances by the likes of J.K. Simmons (in one of his best roles), Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Michael Cera, Janney remains one of the most beloved and endearing throughout. Upon repeated viewings, it’s easy to catch subtle acts by the caring woman that show she is willing to sacrifice her own happiness and comfort for that of her child.

Stream Juno on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Juno on Amazon.
Get it on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon. 

Mom (2013 - 2021)

When talking about the best Allison Janney movies and TV shows, you can’t go too long before her long-running sitcom, Mom, is brought up. Over the course of eight seasons, Janney took on the role of Bonnie Plunkett, a recovering alcoholic who rekindled her relationship with her daughter, Christy (Anna Faris), who was also battling addiction.

Janney would end up taking home two more Primetime Emmy Awards for her role on the successful series, and she was more than deserving of both. The way Janney handled some delicate topics with grace, care, and most importantly, humor, was a breath of fresh air to the format. And, it doesn’t hurt that she and the rest of the cast had tremendous chemistry.

Stream Mom on Hulu.
Buy Mom on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon. 

American Beauty (1999)

A movie that made a surprisingly large amount of money at the box office, American Beauty largely centers on Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a middle-aged man in the midst of an existential crisis that wraps up not just his family but also his neighbors, coworkers, and his children’s friends as he begins losing touch with the world around him.

But the Burnhams aren’t the only family going through their own personal hells in American Beauty, as their new neighbors, the Fitts, also have a tremendous amount of pain and confusion in their home. This is best seen in the character of Barbara (Allison Janney), who is largely silent and despondent throughout the movie. And even though she only says a few words, Janney’s body language speaks volumes.

Stream American Beauty on Pluto.
Rent/Buy American Beauty on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon. 

Finding Nemo (2003)

Although not the best Pixar movie, Finding Nemo is in that top tier of the studio’s body of work, and a lot of that can be attributed to the cast and the way they help flesh out the story about a clownfish going to great lengths to reunite with his missing son. And yeah, that includes Allison Janney’s character, Peach, the sea star who helps Nemo escape a fish tank.

One of the best examples of Janney’s brilliance in this role comes during a scene when the group of sea creatures living in the fish tank are supposed to escape, an attempt that is thwarted by a new filtration system. The way she goes from saying “Good morning” with so much glee to a state of panic is incredible, and adds a nice pop to the scene.

Stream Finding Nemo on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Finding Nemo on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon. 

The Help (2011)

Tate Taylor’s 2011 hilarious and poignant comedy-drama, The Help, has its share of incredible characters played by Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, and Jessica Chastain, but it would be impossible to discuss the movie about a young writer shedding light on the stories of the Black women who worked in prominent Jackson, Mississippi households without mentioning Allison Janney.

Sure, Janney’s character, Charlotte Phelan, doesn’t have the courage of her daughter, Skeeter (Stone), at least not initially, but she more than makes up for it in the latter part of the movie. Everyone loves a good story of someone coming around and seeing the flaws in their ways, which is very much the case here.

Stream The Help on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy The Help on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Masters Of Sex (2013 - 2015)

The Showtime drama series, Masters of Sex, largely focused on the professional and personal lives of human sexuality researchers William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) in the mid-part of the 20th Century, but the show also featured a great number of guest stars, including Allison Janney.

Throughout parts of the series, Janney popped up as Margaret Scully, a close friend of Masters and Johnson who goes throughout a sexual reawakening thanks to their research and becomes a stronger, more independent, and happier woman in the process. And, it should be noted Janney won a Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal.

Buy Masters of Sex on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Way Way Back (2013)

The 2013 coming-of-age comedy, The Way Way Back, is a movie that doesn’t get nearly as much recognition as it deserves, which is a shame considering it tells a tremendous story about an awkward teen named Duncan (Liam James) who finds himself over the course of a summer spent at the seaside. 

It also doesn’t hurt that Nat Faxon and Jim Rash put together one hell of a cast that includes Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Sam Rockwell, Maya Rudolph, and Allison Janney, who plays Betty, Duncan’s neighbor for the summer. She’s direct, honest, and always with a drink in hand, making her one of the most electric and exciting characters of the bunch.

Stream The Way Way Back on Hulu.
Stream The Way Way Back on Freevee.
Rent/Buy The Way Way Back on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

The 1999 dark comedy mockumentary, Drop Dead Gorgeous, follows a group of teenagers participating in a small town beauty pageant, but things take a turn when the contestants begin dying under rather suspicious circumstances. 

In addition to serving as one of Amy Adams’ first movies, Drop Dead Gorgeous also helped take other rising stars to the next level, including Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, and Allison Janney. Throughout the movie, Janney’s character, Loretta, is an absolute firecracker who gets the most out of every scene, even those where she’s in the background. You won’t find it streaming (for now), but it’s more than worth the DVD purchase to see Janey in action.

Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Bombshell (2019)

Bombshell, which followed several female Fox News employees in their attempt to expose Roger Ailes (John Lithgow) for unwanted sexual advances, is a wild ride from start to finish. In the middle of that storm is Susan Estrich (Allison Janney), a complicated character who provides Ailes with legal device.

Throughout each of her scenes, Janney does an incredible job of personifying the conflicted nature of her character. By the end, you don’t necessarily love the character or what she represents, but it’s impossible to not give the actress props for her approach to the role.

Rent/Buy Bombshell on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hairspray (2007)

Hairspray, the 2007 remake of John Waters’ cult classic of the same name, tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Bolonsky), a teenage girl with aspirations of earning a spot on The Corny Collins Show in hopes of bringing about radical change to the popular series and the city of Baltimore in general, while also having a lot of fun.

Allison Janney steps in as Prudence “Prudy” Pingleton, Tracy’s best friend’s racist, close-minded, fun-hating, nosy mother who fears change more than she fears God. Janney is remarkable in her portrayal of such an unlikable person in the musical comedy and stands out as one of the most detestable characters of the movie.

Stream Hairspray on HBO Max.
Stream Hairspray on Freevee.
Rent/Buy Hairspray on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Expect this list to keep growing in the coming months, as Allison Janney is set to appear in True Love, Gareth Edwards star-studded sci-fi drama set to be released near the end of the 2023 movie schedule. Janney will also return to the small screen for the Apple TV+ period comedy series, Mrs. American Pie, which could very well end up being one of the biggest 2023 new shows.   

Imagine doing a reading with your co-star thinking this is a guy fresh out of nowhere only to discover you’re reading with a major star. Well, Margot Robbie, who played Tonya Harding in the award-winning hit I, Tonya, was not the only one who fully transformed for the wickedly funny movie. While she knew she was reading with Sebastian Stan, she had no idea what else he had been in. During the first reading for I, Tonya, Margot Robbie admitted to not recognizing Sebastian Stan “at all.”

In L’Officiel magazine, Sebastian Stan and Margot Robbie spoke to each other about their experiences on I, Tonya. She confessed to Stan that even though they physically met during the chemistry read, she honestly did not recognize who she was reading with. With that mustache and turtleneck, Robbie thought that Stan was a fresh new actor only to realize this is the same actor from Gossip Girl and the Marvel movies.

Not only did Margot Robbie not recognize who her co-star was, but neither did his Marvel co-stars. While filming I, Tonya, he went to meet up with some of his Marvel co-stars who he met while playing Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Because he had a different haircut, a mustache, and was without sideburns, he had to remind his friends who he was when he saw them. Clearly, poor Sebastian Stan really did disappear into his character. Because his Marvel friends, who he has known for years, did not know who he was.

Margot Robbie can understand how easy it is to truly inhabit your character that you become completely unrecognizable. After all, this is the same actress who got so into her role as Tonya Harding that she punched Sebastian Stan in the head. And no, it wasn’t because she didn’t recognize him. During a fight scene between the two leads, Robbie got so caught up in the role after Stan slammed her hand against the wall that she gave him a knuckle sandwich on the side of his head in return. Maybe certain roles ought to require a bodyguard on set.

As a celebrity, you’re used to people recognizing you everywhere you go. However, you also get those rare moments when the physical transformation is so good, it can be a clever disguise to those who know the real you. For example, Nicole Kidman didn’t even recognize Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. The award-winning hair and makeup on Theron were so impressive that when Kidman walked by her, Theron thought she was upset at her only to discover it was because Kidman didn’t know who she was. The same also happened to Rupert Penry-Jones in The Batman who didn’t recognize Colin Farrell on set as Farrell fashioned a brace on his leg and scars on his face to play The Penguin. I’d consider it a compliment on the hair and makeup crew for their amazing and transformative work.

You can find I, Tonya on your Hulu subscription. Let’s see if you are able to spot which actor plays what character in the comedy hit.

Sebastian Stan is a name that should sound very familiar these days. From starting his career with smaller TV roles to becoming a big name in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stan has made a name for himself in Hollywood with his diverse portfolio of amazing portrayals, from a man with a metal arm and heaps of trauma to psychopaths and rock stars. 

If you’re looking for some Sebastian Stan movies and TV shows that you can watch right now, check out these picks down below. 

The Martian (Amazon Rental)

In this Academy Award-nominated film, The Martian follows the story of a man stranded on Mars when his team thinks that he is dead after a harsh storm on the new planet. Now, alone and with barely any way to survive, he has to rely on his smarts, talents, and everything else to survive until a rescue can occur. 

Sebastian Stan portrayed Dr. Chris Beck in The Martian, the flight surgeon for this mission, and he (alongside everyone else in this crazy ensemble of stars) shines. Everyone does so well here, including Stan, creating the ultimate space drama. 

Rent The Martian on Amazon.

Logan Lucky (Hulu)

In Logan Lucky, a family decides to pursue a heist and steal money from the Charlotte Motor Speedway during a NASCAR race, all while trying to avoid getting caught by security officers, people who work for the government, and others. 

While Sebastian Stan’s role as Dayton White wasn’t a huge part of the film, he stole every scene he was in. It’s because of his character that the Logans are even able to escape with the money in the first place, and his lines are delivered perfectly. Watching Stan in this comedy just makes me want to see him in many more. 

Stream Logan Lucky on Hulu.
Rent Logan Lucky on Amazon.

The Bronze (Hulu)

Oh, The Bronze is a fun one for Sebastian Stan fans. The Bronze, a sports comedy, follows a former gymnastic Olympic bronze medalist who takes it upon herself to train an up and comer, so she can get herself back in the spotlight. 

Sebastian Stan plays Lance Tucker, the Team USA coach in The Bronze, and let me say that this movie was genuinely so silly in so many ways and Sebastian Stan was one of the best ways. His character is a riot and so funny, and there’s one scene featuring him and Hope (the main character) that will have you laughing your ass off. I swear to you on my life. While I do think you need to be into sports at least a little to really enjoy the film, it’s still such a fun time. 

Stream The Bronze on Hulu.
Rent The Bronze on Amazon.

Pam & Tommy (Hulu)

At this point, I’d be surprised if you hadn’t heard of Pam & Tommy on Hulu. This miniseries tells the story of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, their whirlwind romance, and the private sex tape that was stolen from their home and leaked online that changed their lives forever. 

While everyone in the Pam & Tommy cast is phenomenal, there’s nothing quite like Sebastian Stan as Mötley Crüe drummer, Tommy Lee. It’s hard to remember that this is literally the same man who plays Bucky Barnes for Marvel, but he puts on a performance that stands out amongst the rest, and the story is entertaining from beginning to end, and makes me want to watch the Pamela Anderson documentary coming to Netflix even more. 

Stream Pam & Tommy on Hulu.

I, Tonya (Hulu)

In this Academy Award-nominated film, I, Tonya tells the story of famous Olympic ice skater, Tonya Harding, and her fall from grace when she gets caught up in a crime that connects her to an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan. 

It is criminal that Sebastian Stan was not nominated for an Oscar for his performance in I, Tonya. While I am also partial to Margot Robbie and her killer ice-skating skills in this, Sebastian Stan as Jeff Gillooly (who was Harding’s husband) was so well-done and should have received all the awards. Truly, one of his best performances so far in his career. I could re-watch it over and over again. 

Stream I, Tonya on Hulu.
Buy I, Tonya on Amazon.

The Devil All The Time (Netflix)

Based on the book of the same name, The Devil All the Time is a Netflix original that follows a young man who is hell-bent on protecting anyone that he loves when his hometown becomes corrupted with people who are selfish and will do anything in order to succeed. 

Sebastian Stan plays Lee Bodecker, a sheriff who, like the main character, Arvin, is very protective of his sister but has a corrupt side as well. Stan isn’t in the film for very long (since there are so many amazing actors in The Devil All The Time cast), his scenes are great. I especially love the moment between him and Tom Holland (Arvin) near the very end, which really caps off the movie beautifully, but I can’t reveal exactly what. I think you should just watch it regardless. 

Stream The Devil All the Time on Netflix.

Fresh (Hulu)

Ever wonder how a romantic comedy can turn twisted in a half hour? Take a look at Fresh, a Hulu original film that follows the story of Noa and Steve, two seemingly normal people in a relationship that takes a dark turn when they go away for a weekend to spend some time together. 

I’m going to be honest in saying that Sebastian Stan as Steve absolutely terrified me in this film. I don’t know what it is - I’m so used to him playing “good guy Bucky Barnes” for Marvel that the idea of him as this charmingly unbalanced person really unnerved me - which is why it’s such a good performance of his. He pulls it off so well, from the beginning to the end of the film. 

Stream Fresh on Hulu.

Ricki And The Flash (Pluto TV)

Ricki and the Flash stars mega-star Meryl Streep as the titular Ricki, who left her family years ago to become a rockstar, even though it never worked out for her. However, she returns years later in order to make amends when her daughter is going through a hard time. 

If the idea of Meryl Streep rocking out on a guitar isn’t enough for you to want to watch this film, Sebastian Stan as Joshua Brummel should be enough. While it’s not a role that immediately stands out amongst many on this list, his role in Ricki and the Flash feels sweeter and tamer than many of the others, showing what it’s like to have a family that’s distant and how amends must be made over time and not instantly. The whole cast worked wonderfully together. 

Stream Ricki and the Flash on Pluto TV.
Rent Ricki and the Flash on Amazon.

We Have Always Lived In The Castle (Netflix)

As someone who really enjoyed the mystery novel this was based on, We Have Always Lived In The Castle was a great adaptation. This film follows a family that lives in isolation after a tragedy struck them six years ago, but when a cousin of theirs arrives with sinister hidden intentions, it’s up to the family to stop him. 

Sebastian Stan was excellent in his role as Charles Blackwood. He perfectly portrayed his charm mixed in with evil intent, and so much more into one, creating a a great horror movie villain. We Have Always Lived In The Castle is certainly a great Netflix horror movie that’s perfect for Halloween, but you can watch it any time of the year for Stan’s awesome performance in it. 

Stream We Have Always Lived In The Castle on Netflix.
Rent We Have Always Lived In The Castle on Amazon.

The Last Full Measure (Amazon Rental)

In this army film based on the very true story of William H. Pitsenbarger, The Last Full Measure follows William during his time in Vietnam saving 60 men as a Pararescuman, and later on, the struggles of Pentagon staffers to try and get him awarded the Medal of Honor thirty-two years after he sacrificed his life. 

Sebastian Stan actually stars in this film as Scott Huffman, who was loosely based on William Parker Hayes Jr., one of the people who was tasked with getting Pitsenbarger  the Medal of Honor years later. And, honestly, watching this film again makes me realize how great of a lead actor Stan really is, because he portrays the role so well and elevates this war movie alongside the rest of the brilliant cast. 

Rent The Last Full Measure on Amazon.

Gossip Girl (HBO Max)

Before he ended up becoming huge in Marvel and other areas of his career, Sebastian Stan was on the legendary CW show, Gossip Girl. This dramedy followed the lives of the elite on the Upper East Side of New York, and the scandals both teenagers and adults got themselves into on a daily basis. 

While Stan’s character, Carter Baizen, only appeared for eleven episodes out of the whole series, every single time he was on the screen he was awesome and conniving, and a fantastic character overall. As one of his earlier roles, Stan makes Carter one of the most memorable recurring characters even years later, which says a lot about his acting skills. 

Stream Gossip Girl on HBO Max.

His Role As Bucky Barnes In Marvel (Disney+)

It’s why you’re here - heck, it’s how I know about him. Sebastian Stan took on the role of Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers childhood best friend, who later is captured by HYDRA and ends up becoming the Winter Soldier. Now, years later, he’s appeared in several MCU films and even his own television show.

I have full faith that even without Marvel, Sebastian Stan would have brought us many amazing roles, because he’s a truly talented actor. But, you can’t deny that playing Bucky Barnes probably helped a lot. From the moment he stepped on the screen, to appearing as a part of The Falcon and Winter Soldier cast, this man embodied the role of Bucky Barnes, displaying that full spectrum of badassery, trauma, charisma, and so much more. I truly cannot imagine anyone else playing this role, and I can’t wait to see him again, hopefully in the upcoming Captain America 4 alongside Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson - let the bromance continue, please!

Stream his Marvel movies and TV shows on Disney+.

With so many movies and shows already, I’m sure Stan is only going to become even bigger over time, and hopefully it won’t be long before we see him in another great movie or TV role.  

Mckenna Grace is a revelation in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and her portrayal of Phoebe Spengler (the granddaughter of the the late Egon Spengler) helps take the long-awaited threequel to the next level. However, this isn’t the first time Grace has stolen the show. In fact, she’s been doing it for quite some time now. 

Over the course of the past decade, Grace has appeared on children’s shows with puppets, played younger versions of superheroes, and ventured into the world of supernatural horror long before she grabbed a proton pack. Here are a few movies and TV shows to check out if you want to see more of what Grace has to offer.

Gifted (2017)

When it is discovered that Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) is a mathematical genius, the 7-year-old’s life becomes hectic, to say the least. While her uncle and guardian, Frank Adler (Chris Evans), thinks Mary should live a normal life, others, including her grandmother, Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), feel she should be pushed to reach her full potential, leading to an emotional and hard-fought battle.

Why it’s worth checking out: Pretty much everyone in the Gifted cast (also including Jenny Slate and Octavia Spencer) is amazing in Marc Webb’s moving 2017 drama, but it is Mckenna Grace’s performance that really takes the movie to the next level. With talent only matched by her charisma, Grace proved that she was a force to be reckoned with here.

Rent/Buy Gifted on Amazon.

Mr. Church (2016)

Over the course of many years, the lives of three generations of Brooks women are forever changed by the calm, soothing, and commanding presence of Henry Joseph Church (Eddie Murphy), who was hired to cook for them while the oldest battles terminal breast cancer. 

Why it’s worth checking out: Bruce Beresford’s 2016 drama, Mr. Church, is mostly remembered for Eddie Murphy’s turn as the mysterious titular character, but the three Brooks women — played by Natascha McElhone, Britt Robertson, and Mckenna Grace — aren’t without merit. This is especially true for Grace, whose character, Izzy, provides some of the movie's most tender moments.

Stream Mr. Church on Amazon.
Rent/Buy Mr. Church on Amazon.

Crash And Bernstein (2012 - 2014)

After growing tired of being outnumbered by his three sisters and mom, Wyatt Bernstein (Cole Jensen) gets what he’s always wanted — a brother of his own — when he is taken to a store called Build-A-Bestie and creates a talking puppet named Crash (Tim Lagasse)

Why it’s worth checking out: Even though Mckenna Grace’s Jasmine Bernstein isn’t the main character on the Disney XD series, Crash and Bernstein, the younger sister of Wyatt has plenty of great moments to shine. If you are looking to see how far Grace has come, this is a good place to start. 

Stream Crash and Bernstein on Disney+.
Buy Crash and Bernstein on Amazon.

I, Tonya (2017)

There are few American figure skaters more famous and infamous than Tonya Harding, who made international news for all the wrong reasons in the lead-up to the 1994 Winter Olympics. The remarkable and heartbreaking story of how Harding (Margot Robbie) became one of the most talented yet controversial sports figures of the late 20th Century is told in great detail in Craig Gillespie’s 2017 biographical drama I, Tonya.

Why it’s worth checking out: Margot Robbie received a great deal of praise and accolades for her portrayal of Tonya Harding, but Mckenna Grace’s performance as the younger version of the character is one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether it’s with the skating scenes or drama off the ice with Harding’s abusive mother, LaVona Golden (Allison Janney), Mckenna’s character really helps make the controversial figure into a more sympathetic person.

Stream I, Tonya on Hulu.
Buy I, Tonya on Amazon.

The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 (2021)

Ever since it premiered on Hulu in April 2017, The Handmaid’s Tale has been the streaming service’s most popular and critically acclaimed series, and that was no different in the show’s fourth season. The fourth chapter in the adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s landmark novel continued with June Osborne’s (Elisabeth Moss) journey to get back at those who stole her daughter from her, but also introduced one of the show’s most interesting characters so far: the young-bride-turned-handmaid Esther Keyes (McKenna Grace), who appears to be starting her own personal journey.

Why it’s worth checking out: It is true that The Handmaid’s Tale is one of the most traumatizing shows right now, but the pain and suffering of the main characters isn’t for nothing. In fact, it only makes them stronger and easier to root for. This is the case with Esther Keyes, who goes from the teenage wife of one of Gilead’s top officials to a beaten (but not broken) young woman who isn’t willing to back down.

Stream The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 on Hulu.

Captain Marvel (2019)

The 2019 Marvel Cinematic Universe title, Captain Marvel, explores how Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) went from being a talented and fearless fighter pilot to the strongest being in the galaxy. Mostly taking place in 1995 Los Angeles, the movie puts you in the middle of a never-ending battle between the Kree and Skrulls, with all its twists, turns, and surprises. The movie also serves as an origin story for a young Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) as he starts his path to becoming the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and quest to create a team to serve as Earth’s mightiest heroes.

Why it’s worth checking out: Mckenna Grace is only seen as a young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel a couple of times, including the go-kart scene and the moment the character gets her full powers, but these happen to be two of the most pivotal parts of the entire movie. The drive, determination, and dedication of Carol is evident in the chaotic race scene, just as much as it is anywhere else in the superhero origin story.

Stream Captain Marvel on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Captain Marvel on Amazon.

Troop Zero (2019)

Upon learning of an opportunity to have her voice featured on the Voyager Golden Record (and heard by life in the far reaches of outer space), Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace) leads the group of misfits in the Birdie Scout youth group to win a talent show and the opportunity of a lifetime. And, even though she initially sets out to be a part of history, Christmas ends up finding something much more meaningful: lifelong friendship.

Why it’s worth checking out: One of the best movies on Amazon, this charming and empowering movie tells a story about a young girl who refuses to give up on a dream, even when others don’t share her enthusiasm. If you were a big fan of Mckenna Grace’s scene-stealing performance in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, then you’re going to love her in Troop Zero.

Stream Troop Zero on Amazon.

The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)

Based on Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name, the 2018 Netflix supernatural horror series The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family — first in 1992 and then 26 years later — as they come to terms with the presence of the mysterious manor, its deadly secrets, and the way in which it completely ripped their family apart. The first of Mike Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology series, this emotionally-taxing and downright terrifying story sinks its teeth in you and doesn’t let go.

Why it’s worth checking out: If you are looking for a show that is terrifying, character-driven, and doesn’t require a huge multi-season commitment, The Haunting of Hill House is the way to go. Speaking of characters — Mckenna Grace’s portrayal of a young Theodora “Theo” Crain is honestly one of the best things about the show, and is yet another movie or show made all the better thanks to her outstanding performance.

Stream The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.
Buy The Haunting of Hill House on Amazon.

Designated Survivor (2016 - 2019)

The political thriller series, Designated Survivor, follows Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman as he becomes the President of the United States after a terrorist attack during the State of the Union address kills everyone in the line of succession, but him. Over the course of the three-season arc (the first two on ABC, final on Netflix), Kirkman is put in one perilous situation after another all while government officials on the federal, state, and local levels challenge his authority time and time again.

Why it’s worth checking out: Although she didn’t have a major role in every episode of Designated Survivor, Mckenna Grace’s character, Penny Kirkman, helped humanize her father and grounded him as he dealt with a seemingly never-ending series of trying moments, including that incredible opening scene to the series.

Stream Designated Survivor on Netflix.
Buy Designated Survivor on Amazon.

Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Not long after paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) decide on the best place to keep the demonic doll Annabelle, they learn they have made a grave mistake, even with it locked away in a glass case and a priest’s blessing. When the demonologists leave town for an investigation, their daughter, Judy Warren (Mckenna Grace), becomes the target of Annabelle, but she is more than up to the task of warding her off once and for all.

Why it’s worth checking out: Just like she would do in Ghostbusters: Afterlife a couple of years later, Mckenna Grace takes charge in Annabelle Comes Home and makes a case for her being one of the most promising young actresses in horror-centric movies today. Fearless, resourceful, and charming, Grace’s performance is worth the price of a rental alone.

Rent/Buy Annabelle Comes Home on Amazon.

If her body of work is any indication, it looks like being the standout of the Ghostbusters: Afterlife cast is just the beginning of the next chapter for Mckenna Grace and her undeniable talent. 

Cruella is one of Disney’s most highly anticipated films. Emma Stone takes on the role of Disney’s legendary evil-doer. Cruella takes place in 1970s London and follows Cruella de Vil as she tries to make it in the fashion world as a young designer, with a preference for Dalmatians skin designs. Cruella’s supporting cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, Mark Strong, Joel Fry, and Emma Thompson.

Filming wrapped on Cruella in 2019 and it had an original premiere date of December 2020, but has since been moved to a May 2021 release. If you’re like me, then you’re very disappointed about the release delay, probably because you were looking forward to Emma Stone’s spin on the fashion icon Cruella, and you enjoy a good villain origin tale. Cruella’s delay isn’t ideal, but Disney+ and other streaming services have plenty of movies and TV shows available to keep you busy while waiting for Cruella’s release.

Here are a few movies and shows to check out.

101 Dalmatians (1996, Disney+)

Before Disney basically started to make live-action adaptation films every year, they took a chance in 1996 with a live-action remake of the 1961 animated film 101 Dalmatians. Glenn Close took on the role of the infamous Cruella de Vil. The cast also includes Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, and Hugh Laurie. In 2000, it had a sequel called 102 Dalmatians.

For many growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, Glenn Close is the standard for Cruella de Vil portrayals, so naturally, people will compare Emma Stone’s version to Close’s version. It’ll also be interesting to see if Stone takes any notes from Close’s campy version or creates her own unique, style and character for Cruella.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Once Upon a Time (Disney+)

Once Upon a Time is an ABC series that ran from 2011 to 2018. It follows the residents of Storybrooke, a town full of fairytale characters. Everyone in Storybrooke is originally from various fantasy lands, including the Enchanted Forest, but the whole town was put under a curse which caused them to believe they’re all just regular people. Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), the daughter of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas) must break the curse, but she doesn’t quite believe she’s the savior. It’s up to her son, Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), to convince her.

The best element of Once Upon a Time is that it adds complexity to villain characters. In the series, Victoria Smurfit plays Cruella. She is one of the series' most fun and devious villains. She first entered the series in season 4. Cruella fans might enjoy Once Upon a Time for the twists on fairytales and taking them slightly away from their animated counterparts, but still paying homage to their animated roots, which I assume Cruella will do as well.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

101 Dalmatians (1961, Disney+)

101 Dalmatians originated as a 1956 children’s book of the same name. Disney’s 1961 classic animation tells the story of a litter of Dalmatian puppies kidnapped by evil Cruella de Vil. She wants to use them to make fur coats. The Dalmatians' parents go on an adventure to retrieve the puppies and then end up with 84 additional children.

101 Dalmatians was a box office success for Disney and received a direct to DVD sequel in 2003. Fans of Cruella should watch the original Disney film to see how director Craig Gillespie will tie in both stories. Cruella is a prequel, so viewers will get to watch how Emma Stone’s Cruella grows into the Cruella in the 101 Dalmatians films. Knowing Disney, they’re also likely to include some Easter Eggs for fans of the other Dalmatians movies.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Cinderella (Disney+)

Ella (Lily James) must deal with two wicked stepsisters and a wicked stepmother when her father dies. One night, she gets the chance to go to the ball with the help of a fairy godmother. She impresses the prince who goes on a quest to find her. Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, and Cate Blanchett also star in Cinderella.

In my opinion, this has been one of the best Disney live-action adaptation movies of recent years. It follows the traditional Cinderella story but adds its own personality where it doesn’t feel like the exact same movie as the animated one. Cruella fans might enjoy watching this one to see what Disney is capable of when they execute a good live-action remake. Cruella and Cinderella are also likely both stories about young women trying to find their place in the world, one just picks the path of puppy murder.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

The Favourite (Max Go)

The Favourite is a period piece about Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) and the two cousins trying to win her affection, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), and Abigail Masham (Emma Stone). The Favourite won Olivia Colman a 2019 Academy Award for Best Actress.

Emma Stone gives one of her best performances ever as Abigail. Stone plays a more villainous character than her normal roles, and she makes you despise Abigail, but also admire her cleverness. The Favourite is probably the closest Stone fans may get to a glimpse of how her version of Cruella may play out. Like Abigail, I expect Cruella to be a ruthless opportunist who is also the victim of her situation and ambitions.

Stream it on Max Go here.

Maleficent (Disney+)

This Disney original film tells the story of Maleficent (Angelina Jolie), the infamous villain of Sleeping Beauty. The film gives a more layered look at this character and explains how her villainy began. It’s supposed to make viewers have some sympathy for Maleficent and root for her. It also stars Elle Fanning and Sam Riley. In 2019, Disney made a sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Of the Disney live-animated features, Maleficent is probably the most similar to Cruella in concept. They’re both films that are reimaginings that show a different perspective of these once pure villainous characters. We’re sure Cruella will still be evil, I mean she wants to kill puppies, can’t get more evil than that, but the audience will get added depth and intricacies to Cruella that’s not there in the animated version.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Descendants (Disney+)

In 2015, Disney launched its Descendants series on The Disney Channel. The first movie follows a group of children who are offsprings of Disney villains, like Maleficent (Kristin Chenoweth)’s daughter Mal (Dove Cameron), Cruella de Vil (Wendy Raquel Robinson)’s son Carlos (Cameron Boyce), Jafar (Maz Jobrani)’s son Jay (Booboo Stewart), and the Evil Queen (Kathy Najimy)’s daughter Evie (Sofia Carson). The children are released from their prison world and allowed to join the good fairytale citizens. The villain children don’t have an easy time adapting at first, but they start to find their place in this new world.

Disney currently has three movies in the Descendants franchise. Cruella fans may enjoy this one because it’s another Disney film that reexamines the ideas of Disney villains and gives them more of a 3D depiction, instead of allowing them to be one-note, as portrayed in many of the animated films.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

I, Tonya (Hulu)

I, Tonya is a black comedy about the events of the 1994 Olympics and the attack on Nancy Kerrigan (Caitlin Carver). It’s about Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) and her quest for Olympics gold. For many years, Tonya Harding has been painted as the villain of this scandal, but I, Tonya takes a more sympathetic approach to the story and the real-life figure. It portrays Tonya as much as a victim as Nancy Kerrigan. Tonya is shown suffering years of abuse from her mother LaVona (Allison Janney) and husband Jeff (Sebastian Stan).

We’ll never know the whole truth about what happened and Tonya’s involvement, but the film really tries to clear Tonya’s name and tries to de-villainize her. Cruella will be about a fictional villain, but it will probably take a similar approach of giving the character more of a sympathetic portrayal, maybe even showing her as a victim of society, circumstances, or one thing or another,.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Into The Woods (Disney+)

This musical, based on the Stephen Sondheim Broadway show of the same name, follows various fairytale characters as they deal with different life issues and battles giants, wolves, and witches. Into the Woods features an ensemble cast that includes Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, and Anna Kendrick.

Into the Woods is a more adult retelling of beloved fairytales like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. One of the most interesting parts of the original musical and the movie is how it makes The Witch (Meryl Streep) so much deeper and one of the most fascinating characters. She’s evil but also grown deeply attached to her daughter Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), and like any good overprotective parent wants to shield her from the cruel world. Cruella fans might enjoy Into the Woods for its imaginative take on typical fairytale stories, both showing the villains and heroes as people with character flaws, but also doing what they feel is right.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Project Runway (Hulu)

Project Runway is a reality series about designers, usually undiscovered, competing for a chance to show at New York Fashion Week, a feature in a global fashion magazine, and a cash prize to start their own collection. Each week, contestants have a themed challenge and must design outfits based on that theme. The series has been on air since 2004.

Cruella will deal with the fashion industry and Ms. de Vil’s desire to make it during the 1970s, so Project Runway could be a good series to binge if the fashion element of the movie appeals to you. It’s also a good show to see how ambition and fashion could lead to some shady reality TV behavior. Hulu currently has season 8 to 16 available to stream.

Stream it on Hulu here.

I also recommend The Devil Wears Prada, which unfortunately isn’t available to stream but is available to rent or buy. I think Cruella may take a lot of inspiration from that film. Cruella is set for a May 28, 2021 release. This may feel like a long time, so make sure to binge-watch as many of these movies and shows as possible to speed up the wait.

Margot Robbie is one of those actors who it seems can do anything. She's played a wide variety of characters in her comparatively short career and she seems to disappear into every role she creates. She appears willing to do just about anything required of her on screen, and that includes, as it turns out, action scenes on roller skates.

It's maybe not too shocking that Birds of Prey includes an action scene where Harley Quinn runs around on roller skates, that's par for the course for a character like her. However, what might be a bit more surprising is that it's actually Margot Robbie doing all her own skate work in the film. Birds of Prey director Cathy Yan told CinemaBlend's Sean O'Connell that, while they did have a technical expert on the set to work with Robbie, she took to the skates quite easily because of her experience playing Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. Check out Cathy Yan's full comments below...

It's got to be nice when the hard work one does for one film pays dividends later on. That was the case here, as Margot Robbie had to train long enough to play Tonya Harding that she could be believable as a world class skater. In Birds of Prey, she probably only had to be good enough to avoid breaking her ankle, as Cathy Yan mentions that the insurance company apparently didn't love the idea of the movie's star on roller skates, but her previous experience on ice skates probably helped prevent such accidents.

We've seen glimpses of the scene in question in the trailers for Birds of Prey, which show Harley Quinn in skates being pulled behind a motorcycle. It's perfectly clear why the insurance company was not a fan of this idea.

You wouldn't think that figure skating and roller skating would necessarily have all that much in common, besides the similar tools the two activities require, but in this particular case, their might be more similarities than differences. As the movie I, Tonya portrays, Harding was always something of an outsider in the figure skating community. During an era where the focus was on graceful skating, Harding was more of a pure athlete, capable of more impressive jumps than most of her competitors. As such, Margot Robbie's training to perform like Harding likely helped in a sequence in Birds of Prey that, one can assume, was low on grace and heavy on power.

Those of us not lucky enough to attend the World Premiere or other early screening have to wait to see what Harley Quinn can do on roller skates, but based on the reaction of those that have seen the film, it will be worth the wait. Early reactions have been quite positive overall, making Birds of Prey look like it will almost certainly be the latest in a string of WB/DC success stories that has included Shazam!, Joker and Aquaman. Birds of prey hits theaters on Friday.

After a few months that have been a little slower in terms of big releases, March is going to be a big month in home entertainment. Not only will Star Wars fans finally see the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi finally get to check out the extra features with that set, but the box office behemoth Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, as is Justice League and a slew of movies with Oscar potential and, oh yeah, the Blu-ray and DVD release for Thor: Ragnarok is also coming. If there's not one movie on the list that appeals to you in some capacity, I can only surmise you love niche films or aren't a movie fan at all. Because honestly, I write this list every month and there's almost never this much interesting stuff coming out within a few short weeks of each other.

Of course, if you are looking for the February 2018 list, we have you covered.

Tuesday, March 6 DVD And Blu-ray Releases

Thor: Ragnarok

Blue Planet II

Lady Bird

Wonder Wheel

The Man Who Invented Christmas

Scorched Earth

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Ninth Season

The Breadwinner

Curse of the Mayans

Aliens Ate My Homework

Faces Places

Novitiate

Atlanta: The Complete First Season

The Clapper

Week of March 6 Early Digital Releases

I, Tonya (March 2)

Jumanji: Welcome To the Jungle (March 6)

Downsizing (March 6)

Tuesday, March 13 DVD And Blu-ray Releases

Justice League

The Shape of Water

Call Me By Your Name

I, Tonya

Fear The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season

The Handmaid's Tale: Season 1

The Disaster Artist

Ferdinand

Major Crimes: The Sixth and Final Season DVD

Children of the Corn: Runaway

Into The Badlands: Season 2

Kickboxer Retalition

Lego DC Super Heroes: The Flash

Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures - Season Two

Knightfall: Season 1

Kendra on Top: Season 6

The Good Fight: Season 1

Week of March 13 Early Digital Releases

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Tuesday, March 20 DVD And Blu-ray Releases

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle

Pitch Perfect 3

Archer: The Complete Season Eight

Downsizing

Ichi The Killer

Dirt

Small Town Crime

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall

Tuesday, March 27 DVD And Blu-ray Releases

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

The Americans: The Complete Fifth Season

Mr. Robot: Season 3.0

The Last Men in Aleppo

Legion: The Complete Season One

Acts of Violence

The Last Movie Star

Week of March 27 Early Digital Releases

Molly's Game

Phantom Thread

At this Sunday's 90th Academy Awards, actress Allison Janney walked away with the golden statue for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Tonya Harding's mother LaVona in I, Tonya. This was the first win and nomination for the veteran actress who already has multiple Emmys, a Golden Globe and a whole host of other awards to her name. But Hollywood's most prestigious award is extra special for the actress, and thus deserves a special place in her home. So instead of taking a place atop the mantle or in the trophy case, Oscar will be spending the night in bed with Allison Janney for the foreseeable future, as the actress explained:

No shame in that. For an actress like Allison Janney, who has been in the industry as long as she has, to finally reach the top of her profession and have that recognized has to be incredibly meaningful. The Oscar trophy is a symbol of that excellence, so who can blame her for wanting to keep it close. Allison Janney's statement to ET just seems so honest and real because who doesn't want to be proud, feel good about themselves and have their peers be proud of them as well. I'm sure the actress is riding a major high and the whole experience probably feels like a dream. Making sure that she wakes up next to the Oscar statue every morning is just a reminder that this is no dream or fantasy, but reality, and she truly won.

You just have to feel good for Allison Janney. While everyone reacts differently, it's just more fun when you see someone win for whom it clearly means a great deal. It's also nice to see veteran actors win for the first time. Some actors never win Hollywood's most coveted award and others seem like they are doomed to second place forever before finally getting over the mountain. It's probably a good idea that Allison Janney keep her statue close, too, with comically foolish Oscar thieves around this year. Her Oscar win capped off a major awards season for the actress, whose performance in Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya won her a Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG award. Although ratings were down, this year's Academy Awards still had plenty to love for film fans. In addition to reminding us why we love movies, there were magical moments and some hilarious fallout from Hollywood's biggest night.

Allison Janney is currently starring in CBS' Mom, now in its fifth season. For all the latest movie news, stay tuned to CinemaBlend and for all of the actresses, actors and films that will be competing for Oscars next year, check out our 2018 release guide.

The year 2017 was an amazing one for the film industry, and the Academy Awards celebration absolutely reflected that. While Guillermo del Toro's The Shape Of Water walked away the big winner - taking home prizes for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Score, and Best Production Design - there was a whole lot of love spread around. Martin McDonagh's Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri was huge in the acting categories, with both Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell taking home trophies, and both Darkest Hour and I, Tonya received recognition thanks to the prizes given to Gary Oldman and Allison Janney. On opposite sides of the spectrum, Jordan Peele won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for his directorial debut, Get Out, while Roger Deakins broke a 13-nomination-long losing streak with a Blade Runner 2049 win in the Best Cinematography category. It was a fantastic night, and we have a lot to say about it.

For your convenience, below you'll find a wide variety of our Oscar 2018 coverage - including everything from news stories to features to reviews. There's a lot to celebrate, so dive in, and hit the comments at the bottom to tell us what you thought of the ceremony and the results!

Hot Topics

1. 2018 Academy Awards: See The Full List Of Winners

2. 9 Shocking Snubs From The 2018 Oscar Nominations

3. 2018 Oscars: What We Thought Of Every Best Picture Nominee

4. The Biggest Oscars Snubs, According To Fandango Users

5. Netflix Has Won Its First Oscar

6. We Have Our First Ever Double EGOT Winner Thanks To The Oscars

Hot Takes

1. How Oscar Season Needs To Change, According To Roman J. Israel's Director

2. Gal Gadot Responds To Wonder Woman's Lack Of Oscar Nominations

3. Sam Rockwell Deserves His Oscar After A Career Full Of Amazing Performances

4. The Only Oscar Nominations Wonder Woman Actually Deserved

5. AwardsBlend Podcast #10: Avengers News, Steven Spielberg's Best Film, And Final Oscar Picks

6. In Praise Of Roger Deakins, And All His Incredible Movies

7. The 3 Best Things About The Shape Of Water

Oscar News

1. Some Guy Tried To Steal Frances McDormand's Oscar Last Night

2. Tiffany Haddish Wore The Same Dress To The Oscars She Wore Twice Before

3. The Oscars Are Letting Warren Beatty And Faye Dunaway Announce The Best Picture Winner Again

4. These Zootopia Inspired Movie Posters For The 2018 Oscars Are Perfect

Oscar Night 2018

1. Watch The Oscars 2018 Black And White Opening

2. The 2018 Oscar Monologue's 3 Funniest Jokes

3. Watch The Tremendous 2018 Oscars Movie History Montage

Reviews Of The Winners

1. The Shape of Water

2. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

3. Darkest Hour

4. I, Tonya

5. Get Out

6. Call Me By Your Name

7. Coco

8. Blade Runner 2049

9. Phantom Thread

10. Dunkirk

After months of discussing and dissecting this year's most critically acclaimed movies, the big night is here. Whether you are a person who loves the red carpet or the speeches, you won't have too much longer to wait before the evening kicks off with a bang. While some betting sites have given odds on which big movie might take home this year's Academy Award for Best Picture, we won't know if Get Out makes a surprise win, or if Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri may repeat its Golden Globes success until Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway take the stage again this year. We'll be here as all of the big awards are announced, and you can check out the full list of nominees -- and winners as they come in -- below.

Best Picture

Call Me By Your Name

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

Get Out

Lady Bird

Phantom Thread

The Post

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Director

Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan

Get Out, Jordan Peele

Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig

Phantom Thread, P.T. Anderson

The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro

Best Actress

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Margot Robbie, I, Tonya

Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Meryl Streep, The Post

Best Actor

Timothee Chalamet, Call Me by Your Name

Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread

Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out

Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Best Supporting Actress

Mary J Blige, Mudbound

Allison Janney, I, Tonya

Leslie Manville, Phantom Thread

Laurie Metcalf, Ladybird

Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water

Best Supporting Actor

Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside

Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water

Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World

Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Original Screenplay

The Big Sick

Get Out

Lady Bird

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Adapted Screenplay

Call Me By Your Name

The Disaster Artist

Logan

Molly's Game

Mudbound

Best Animated Feature

The Boss Baby

The Breadwinner

Coco

Ferdinand

Loving Vincent

Best Foreign Language Film

A Fantastic Woman, Chile

The Insult, Lebanon

Loveless, Russia

On Body and Soul, Hungary

The Square, Sweden

Best Documentary Feature

Abbicus, Small Enough To Jail

Faces Places

Icarus

Last Men in Aleppo

Strong Island

Production Design

Beauty And The Beast

Blade Runner 2049

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

The Shape Of Water

Best Cinematography

Blade Runner 2049

Darkest Hour

Dunkirk

Mudbound

The Shape Of Water

Best Costume Design

Beauty And The Beast

Darkest Hour

The Shape Of Water

Phantom Thread

Victoria & Abdul

Film Editing

Baby Driver

Dunkirk

I, Tonya

The Shape Of Water

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Makeup And Hairstyling

Darkest Hour

Victoria & Abdul

Wonder

Best Score

Dunkirk

Phantom Thread

The Shape Of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Original Song

"Mighty River," Mudbound

"Mystery of Love," Call Me By Your Name

"Remember Me," Coco

"Stand up for Something," Marshall

"This is Me," The Greatest Showman

Best Sound Editing

Baby Driver

Blade Runner 2049

Dunkirk

The Shape Of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Best Sound Mixing

Baby Driver

Blade Runner 2049

Dunkirk

The Shape Of Water

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Best Visual Effects

Blade Runner 2049

Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol 2

Kong: Skull Island

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

War For The Planet Of The Apes

Best Animated Short

Dear Basketball

Garden Party

Lou

Negative Space

Revolting Rhymes

Best Documentary Short

Edith+Eddie

Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405

Heroin(e)

Knife Skills

Traffic Stop

Best Live Action Short

DeKalb Elementary

The Eleven O'Clock

My Nephew Emmett

The Silent Child

Watu Woto: All of Us

This year's Academy Awards air on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET. Jimmy Kimmel is once again back as the host of the awards, although the jury is out on how many times he will reference what happened with the Moonlight and La La Land mishap last year. Whether the nods are understated or overkill, it should be a night full of surprises, as this year is the 90th year the Oscars have come together in Hollywood. So, stay tuned to CinemaBlend, as this page plans to keep you posted regarding which of the former nominees actually take home the coveted statues. And if you want a reminder of that envelope debacle or a refresher on who took home awards last year, we have you covered, as well.

Photo Courtesy of ABC.

The Oscar race is a marathon, not a sprint. And along the way, there are mile markers that tend to point in the direction of the final Academy Awards outcome. While we're nowhere near ready to declare the race over -- or to even nominate a clear-cut frontrunner -- the Screen Actors Guild awards winners can go a long way to pointing out who's likely to take home an Oscar when the 2017-18 campaign draws to a close.

When you start to hear the same names revealed over and over at ceremonies like the Golden Globes, the Critics' Choice Awards and the SAGs, you begin to conclude that these same names will triumph at the Oscars. If that's the case, then your current Best Actor and Actress frontrunners appear to be Gary Oldman for Darkest Hour and Frances McDormand for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDormand's co-star, Sam Rockwell, has been cleaning up on the path for Best Supporting Actor nods. And Allison Janney is parlaying her venomous turn as Tonya Harding's stage mom into awards gold for I, Tonya. Let's break down the key awards each has won up to this point:

Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Critics' Choice: Best Actor

Golden Globes: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

SAG: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics: Best Actor

Iowa Film Critics: Best Actor

Nevada Film Critics: Best Actor

New York Film Critics Online: Best Actor

NC Film Critics: Best Actor

Oklahoma Film Critics: Best Actor

Online Film Critics Society: Best Actor

Southeastern Film Critics: Best Actor

St. Louis Film Critics: Best Actor

Washington D.C. Film Critics: Best Actor

Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Critics' Choice: Best Actress

Golden Globes: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

SAG: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Detroit Film Critics: Best Actress

Las Vegas Film Critics: Best Actress

St. Louis Film Critics' Association: Best Actress

Toronto Film Critics' Association: Best Actress

Washington D.C. Film Critics' Association: Best Actress

Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Critics' Choice: Best Supporting Actor

Golden Globes: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Southeastern Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

Online Film Critics Society: Best Supporting Actor

Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

Florida Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

Houston Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

Las Vegas Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

San Diego Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor

Washington D.C. Film Critics' Association: Best Supporting Actor

Allison Janney, I, Tonya

Critics' Choice: Best Supporting Actress

Golden Globes: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

SAG: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Dallas-Ft. Worth Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

Detroit Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

Florida Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

Houston Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

Nevada Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

New York Film Critics Online: Best Supporting Actress

Philadelphia Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

Phoenix Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

San Diego Film Critics: Best Supporting Actress

As you can see, the SAG winners from Sunday fit into a pattern, and we expect all four to be named as Oscar nominees when those are announced on Tuesday morning. Will that make them frontrunners? Right now, because no one else has consistently stepped up and interfered with their clear path to victory, I'd say that they are close to being the Oscar winners we expect to hear on March 4. But a lot can happen between now and then, as final Oscar ballots aren't even due for another month.

Still, I'd feel better throwing some more weight behind a Shape of Water or The Post upset if Sally Hawkins, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep or Richard Jenkins had surprised us with a one-off victory at one of these precursor awards programs. But right now, we are hearing the same four names. Will we hear all four of them again on March 4 at the Oscars? Or are one of these four vulnerable to an upset? Let us know in the comments.

We are only a week into 2018, but already it's awards time. The Hollywood Foreign Press is ready to announce what they feel are the best films, performances, and more tonight at the Golden Globes, and as always, we are ready to keep track and see which trophies go to which people in this year's competition.

While this feature is launching at the start of the Golden Globes 2018 ceremony, we will be refreshing it throughout the night. As the winners are announced, we will be continually updating the sections found below - highlighting the big winners with images and emphasized text. Keep coming back to this page to see the latest news, and be sure to keep an eye on homepage for our reactions to the developments!

Best Motion Picture, Drama

Call Me By Your Name

Dunkirk

The Post

The Shape of Water

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

The Disaster Artist

Get Out

The Greatest Showman

I, Tonya

Lady Bird

Best Director

Guillermo Del Toro, The Shape of Water

Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk

Ridley Scott, All The Money in the World

Steven Spielberg, The Post

Best Screenplay Motion Picture

Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor, The Shape of Water

Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird

Liz Hanna Josh Singer, The Post

Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Aaron Sorkin, Molly's Game

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture, Drama

Jessica Chastain, Molly's Game

Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water

Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Meryl Streep, The Post

Michelle Williams, All The Money in the World

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture, Drama

Timothy Chlumet, Call Me By Your Name

Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread

Tom Hanks, The Post

Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour

Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq

Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Judi Dench, Victoria and Abdul

Helen Mirren, The Leisure Seeker

Margot Robbie, I, Tonya

Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird

Emma Stone, Battle of the Sexes

Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Steve Carell, Battle of The Sexes

Ansel Elgort, Baby Driver

James Franco, The Disaster Artist

Hugh Jackman, The Greatest Showman

Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out

Best Performance By A Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture

Mary J Blige, Mudbound

Hong Chau, Downsizing

Allison Janney, I, Tonya

Laurie Metcalfe, Lady Bird

Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water

Best Performance By A Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture

Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project

Armie Hammer, Call Me By Your Name

Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water

Christopher Plummer, All The Money in The World

Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best Motion Picture, Animated

The Boss Baby

The Breadwinner

Coco

Ferdinand

Loving Vincent

Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language

A Fantastic Woman, Chile

First They Killed My Father, Cambodia

In the Fade, Germany, France

Loveless, Russia

The Square, Sweden, Germany, and France

Best Original Score, Motion Picture

Carter Burwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Alexandre Desplat, The Shape Of Water

Johnny Greenwood, Phantom Thread

John Williams, The Post

Hans Zimmer, Dunkirk

Best Original Song

"Home" Ferdinand

"Mighty River" Mudbound

"Remember Me" Coco

"The Star" The Star

"This is Me" The Greatest Showman

The 2018 Golden Globes air on NBC and will feature Seth Meyers as the host this year. To find out what else is heading to TV in the new year, take a look at our full schedule.

"Based on a true story" has been a hook for decades of cinema history, but the storytelling generally requires more than a few asterisks. No big screen feature is ever 100 percent factual -- be it because not enough specific information is available, things need to be spiced up for entertainment value, or a number of other reasons. The majority of titles skirt around this with discussions of "emotional truth" and by getting approval from those involved in the real tale... but Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya is a unique feature within the way in which it grapples with this conundrum. Openly based on a story full of contradictions (it's noted specifically in the title card), the film fully leans into the various lies and weirdness that rests within the "legend" of professional ice skater Tonya Harding, and constructs a crazy dark, harshly funny narrative that happens to produce some of the best performances of the year.

If you lived through the early 1990s (even as a young kid, as I was), you're very likely aware of the notorious Tonya Harding. Prior to the 1994 Winter Olympics, she found herself caught up in a conspiracy that involved established associates attacking rival Nancy Kerrigan as a means of eliminating her as competition for the games. Screenwriter Steven Rogers' script certainly tells this story, but more importantly rewinds the tape on the life that led up to those events. Anchored by interviews with Tonya (Margot Robbie); her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan); and her mother, LaVona Fay Golden (Allison Janney), I, Tonya explores the titular woman's white trash upbringing in Portland, Oregon, her legitimate aspirations as a figure skater, and all of the horrible abuses that accompany those tales, and provides a whole new fourth-wall-breaking perspective on what is unquestionably one of the strangest scandals in sports history.

A key part of crafting the unique narrative is carving out a specific tone, and as an audience member, I, Tonya is an emotionally complex experience. Tonya (portrayed as a young girl by McKenna Grace) was left alone with LaVona at a young age, and grew up the subject of constant emotional and physical abuse. That continued into her teens and young adulthood, with Tonya's introduction to Jeff Gillooly, who kept up the pattern going before, during, and even after their marriage. It properly results in many hard to watch scenes in the film that pair with teeth-gritted jaw clenches, and provides a level of sympathy of Tonya that most probably never had. Simultaneously, however, it has no issue throwing out an off-the-cuff line that gets a hearty laugh -- creating quite the razor-thin line for the movie to walk upon. It could have been the film's downfall, as over-the-top, horrific irreverence has no place here, but it's ultimately one of its greatest strengths, as the tone does properly match up with the roller coaster of oddness and oddballs that the reality offers. You will find yourself kind of hating yourself for chuckling, but it is part of the experience and conversation.

On that note, the players in this game are all so weirdly extreme that they make tremendous character fodder for the perfectly cast stars -- and Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney all make a feast of it. Embracing the hyper-vulgarity and ugliness that comprises LaVona's personality, Janney is the film's truly special presence, as she fiercely pops from the moment she first appears on screen sporting a bowl cut and a ventilator, wearing a fur coat and lively feathered friend on her shoulder. It's an Oscar-worthy showing for sure -- but thankfully doesn't undercut the contributions from the leads, who are also phenomenal in their own right. The glamorous, Australian Robbie utterly disappears as the brash, unapologetic Tonya, truly believing every one of the multiple variations of "It's not my fault;" while Stan as Jeff creates a weirdly adept balance between "mild-mannered" and "scum bag," coming across as quiet and innocent one minute, and revealed as a total asshole the next. With awesome material to dig into, the film sets them up for success, but you still awe at how brilliantly they crush it.

Much like how recent pop culture has shined a bright light on the O.J. Simpson case from the mid-1990s, it was only a matter of time before we saw a take on Tonya Harding and the events surrounding the 1994 Winter Olympics. Thankfully, I, Tonya is the proper exploration of the story. It's a eccentric mix of weird, severe, funny and controversial, but in being so is a proper take on the fractured reality its based upon.

While director Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya is technically based on a true story, that "truth" very much depends on who is telling the story. The movie explores the perspectives of Margot Robbie's Tonya Harding, Sebastian Stan's Jeff Gillooly, and Allison Janney's LaVona Golden, and all of them have very different takes on the titular ice skater's notorious tale. It makes for an interesting experience as an audience member, but weirdly enough it also caused Robbie to make some notable changes in her performance. The actress recently told me,

The Australian actress went all in portraying one of the most notorious figures in sports history, and showed that dedication with tremendous fidelity to the movie's vision. While speaking with Margot Robbie during the I, Tonya press day earlier this month in Los Angeles, I asked how the shifting perspectives of the story changed her performance. She explained that she legitimately approached the scenes told from the perspective of Jeff Gillooly differently than she did in parts of the story seen from Tonya's point of view.

Telling the story of the conspiracy that led to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics, I, Tonya starts with a disclaimer saying that it is, "Based on irony free, wildly contradictory, totally true interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly," and it certainly lives up to that. Tonya and Jeff have very different views on the way that the whole thing went down, and it leads to a creative bit of storytelling anchored by a brilliant performance. There aren't many actresses who could have brought to the film what Margot Robbie does, and it explains why her name is getting mentioned a lot as award season continues to heat up.

You can click play on the video below to watch Margot Robbie discuss her unique approach to her performance in I, Tonya:

Following its impressive debut at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, I, Tonya has now found its way into limited release. Hopefully picking up more notable nominations (Margot Robbie is up for Best Actress -- Comedy at the Golden Globes) will lead to the movie to start showing in more theaters nationwide.

Director Craig Gillespie's I, Tonya is very upfront about the weird and contradictory nature of the true story behind its narrative -- but it also features no shortage of "stranger than fiction" moments. There is not only a lot that is verifiable truth in the film, but a lot of that same material is also batshit insane. One perfect example is a scene where Jeff Gillooly drives for hours just to hurl an insult at Tonya -- which was a sequence that actor Sebastian Stan couldn't believe actually happened when he first read the script. He recently told me,

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sebastian Stan earlier this month during the Los Angeles press day for I, Tonya, and had the chance to pick his brain a bit about the true story that inspired the movie. I specifically asked if there were any scenes he couldn't believe were really real when he was preparing to play the infamous Jeff Gillolly, and he selected what is certainly one hell of a weird moment from the film.

In the comedy/drama, Jeff (Sebastian Stan) and Tonya (Margot Robbie) have a volatile relationship that often leads to messy fights, and at one point they decide to break up. Jeff, staying with his friend Shawn (Paul Walter Hauser), tries to call her and patch things up, but every time he does he gets a quick, "Fuck you," and she hangs up. Despite the fact that she is in a training facility eight hours away, he gets in the car with Sean, drives, and then gets satisfaction when he screams at her from a balcony, 'No, fuck you!" It's a very strange sequence, but apparently entirely real.

Sebastian Stan sees the humor of the scene as part of the genius of the I, Tonya script -- a great example of the very strange sense of humor. There is a great deal in the story that really isn't funny (there is a lot of horrible physical and emotional abuse featured), but at the same time you really can't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. Said Stan,

You can watch the I, Tonya star talk about Jeff Gillooly's crazy drive by clicking play on the Sebastian Stan video below!

I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, and Bobby Cannavale, is now out in limited release, but a theatrical expansion is expected.

Being unrecognizable in a film is considered high praise. Disappearing so completely into a role that the audience only sees the character and not the actor underneath is one of the highest expressions of the craft. But going out in public and having your friends not even recognize you, that's something else entirely. And that's exactly what happened to actor Sebastian Stan. The man who plays Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films is currently starring in the critically acclaimed, I, Tonya. He plays Tonya Harding's ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly in the movie. While filming, he went to meet up with some of his Marvel co-stars at a bar in Atlanta and as he tells it, they did not recognize him.

That's the power of a strong mustache; it transforms who you are and how the world sees you. The Marvel crew must have wondered who this guy walking up and inserting himself with confidence was Of course, as noted by Esquire, Sebastian Stan does look wildly different in I, Tonya than in his MCU outings. The scruffy longhaired super soldier looks nothing like the shorthaired, mustachioed villain Jeff Gillooly. But it's hilarious given the co-stars he's worked with for years didn't recognize him. Now that is disappearing into a character. That must be extra fun for Sebastian Stan, considering the character he was playing is a real person.

Sebastian Stan plays Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya, Tonya Harding's infamous ex-husband who masterminded the attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan and turned the figure skating world upside down. Margot Robbie totally transformed for the role of Tonya Harding in the stranger than fiction tale, and it appears that Sebastian Stan did the same. Of course, Sebastian Stan is no stranger to having his looks analyzed. Recently, he has frequently been told how much he looks like a young Mark Hamill, and how he could take on the role of Luke Skywalker in a future Star Wars film.

You can see Sebastian Stan in all his creepy mustache glory in I, Tonya, in theaters now. And you can catch him hanging out with his Marvel friends when the Winter Soldier gets thawed to fight some aliens in Avengers: Infinity War, in theaters on May 4, 2018. For all the biggest movies hitting theaters next year, check out our release guide.

There are quite a few memorable Olympics moments that have happened over the years. Depending on when a lot of us were born, we may or may not be familiar with the Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan saga, a story that began with the two ice skaters in competition and ended when Harding's ex-husband and others hired Shane Stant to attack Kerrigan. It's a story that is being told with the upcoming I, Tonya movie, but star Margot Robbie didn't believe the tale was real when she first read the script. She recently admitted,

To Margot Robbie's credit, Tonya Harding's story is a rather wild one. In January of 1994, Nancy Kerrigan was struck in the knee following a skating practice in Detroit. Her assailant was Shane Stant, a man who had been hired by Tony Hardin's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and Shawn Eckhardt, so that Kerrigan would not make it to the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer that year. Because Kerrigan's knee wasn't totally ruined, she was able to recover and both women competed at the Olympics that year. Kerrigan nabbed the silver medal while Harding placed eighth. Harding took a plea deal regarding the famous incident.

After learning more about Tonya Harding's story and her impact on history and especially the history of sports, she also told the NY Post that she spent a long time trying to get into the mind space Tonya Harding was in during the events that occur in I, Tonya. She said watching archival footage of Harding being on edge in interviews was "painful to watch." She used that footage to get a grip on the character before eventually meeting Tonya Harding in the flesh.

The two are fairly chummy now. Margot Robbie has previously stated that she has "texted" with Tonya Harding and has found her to be "lovely" and "understanding" when it comes to Robbie retelling her story. (Margot Robbie is also a producer on I, Tonya.) The two even spent some time together at the I, Tonya premiere where they had a great photo opp and seemed to pal around a bit.

I, Tonya is a mix of fact and fill in the dots, and you can see whether that makes for an engaging movie this week, before heavy holiday hitters like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle are officially out. To find out more about what is coming this holiday season, take a look at our full movies schedule, and if you haven't seen footage for I, Tonya yet, check it out.

There are few more iconic 90s moments than the figure skating rivalry between Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan. During their showdown during the olympic games, the entire country seemed fixated on which of the athletes would take the top spot on the US team, possibly winning medals in the process. And things only got crazier when Harding's and her husband Jeff Gilooly arranged Kerrigan's leg to be broken backstage. Now that iconic scandal will be adapted for the silver screen with I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie as the title character. The Suicide Squad actress recently opened up about her own interactions with the infamous figure skater, describing their meeting as both surreal and lovely.

It looks like Tonya Harding isn't too sore about the upcoming film based on her, and she's been happy to communicate with Margot Robbie about her role. Robbie also seems to have a good attitude about the part, which is likely what helped Harding be such a class act about I, Tonya.

Tonya Harding has had to deal with being in the pop culture lexicon for decades at this point. She and Nancy Kerrigan are synonymous with their feud and Kerrigan's attack, and a variety of projects have already been produced about their story. From musicals, TV episodes, to movies, their story wand feud has never really been allowed to die. Nancy Kerrigan also recently competed on Dancing with the Stars, with rumors swirling that Harding might be cast in a future season.

But Margot Robbie's comments to Variety seem to prove that Tonya Harding has gained perspective and maturity when it comes to her time in the national spotlight. And considering that I, Tonya is arriving just in time for awards season, she's going to need it. Margot Robbie and Allison Janney already have awards buzz around their performances as Tonya and her mother LaVona Golden. If they manage to get Oscar attention, Tonya Harding will once again be a household name, and will likely be approached for a ton of press opportunities as well.

While based off of Tonya Harding's real life, Margot Robbie seems to understand that she's not going for complete accuracy with her performance in I, Tonya. She's trying to capture Tonya's spirit, rather than a completely identical version of the disgraced figure skater. This will likely help Harding separate herself from the film as well, and maybe even allow her to enjoy Robbie's performance.

I, Tonya will arrive in theaters on December 8, 2017. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

We've been curious about Margot Robbie's new film in which she plays figure skater Tonya Harding ever since it was announced. Now, our first look at the movie shows us that it's everything we ever dreamed of. The first teaser for I,Tonya is here, and Margot Robbie looks perfect in the role of the vilified figure skater. Check it out.

If we didn't know any better, we'd think that actually was a picture of Tonya Harding, circa 1994. It looks remarkably like her. Yet, that's actually Margot Robbie, the same woman who brought comic book character Harley Quinn to life, now bringing Harding to the big screen. Robbie looks amazing and we can't wait to see what else she brings to the movie.

I, Tonya will focus on the events surrounding the 1994 attack on skater Nancy Kerrigan during the U.S. Figure Skating Championship. Eventually, it was discovered that the attack was orchestrated by Tonya Harding's ex-husband, among others. While Harding herself was suspected of being involved, nothing was ever proven.

The new preview clocks it at less than a minute, so it doesn't get into a ton of specifics, but it does give us plenty of looks at Margot Robbie transformed into the famous ice skater.

It also shows that I, Tonya is going to be an intriguing movie. The voiceover that tells us there's no such thing as truth is probably the key to the entire movie. Is this going to be an accurate retelling of the events surrounding the attack on Nancy Kerrigan? Probably not, but then, does it really matter? The fact is that we still don't know a lot about what happened, but the movie will have to make some choices about some elements. In its own way, the trailer seems to be covering its own ass by claiming that the truth is bullshit anyway.

In addition to Margot Robbie in the lead role, I, Tonya stars Sebastian Stan as Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, Alison Janney as Harding's mother, and Caitlin Carver as Nancy Kerrigan.

The idea to frame I, Tonya as a black comedy is an interesting one but probably the best available option. The actual event was a media circus. Treating everything as serious and dramatic honestly wouldn't do justice to the complete trainwreck that was the media response to it all. Does anybody even remember anything that happened at the 1994 Olympics beyond this?

We're looking forward to seeing more of I, Tonya ahead of the film's release. It will hit screens on December 8 and one certainly wonders if there are any potential award-worthy performances in the mix that we'll be hearing about long after the film has been released.

We've all heard stories about actors who get carried away with their performances and those who try to truly inhabit their characters. Apparently, the set of I, Tonya got so wild that Margot Robbie ended up channeling her character and punching her co-star. Robbie plays the title character in the new movie about Tonya Harding and the most famous crime in the history of Olympic figure skating. During a recent screening of the new film in Toronto, the actress spoke about a time during filming that art began to imitate life and she punched Sebastian Stan in the head. According to Robbie...

By all accounts the relationship between figure skater Tonya Harding and her one-time husband Jeff Gillooly was...we'll go with tumultuous. The idea that the two of them might, at one time, have gotten into a brawl, is certainly the sort of story one might have heard back then. Margot Robbie told the audience at the Toronto International Film Festival, which included our own Sean O'Connell, that she literally forgot that she was acting during at least one point during shooting, resulting in her punching co-star Sebastian Stan, who plays Gillooly, in retribution for slamming her hand in a car door. We'll assume she used the other hand. Unfortunately, we'll never get to see the scene as apparently it was cut from the final version of the movie.

Part of the reason the scene may have become so heated was that I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie told the actors to just "do whatever" while filming the scene, so the entire battle between the two was improv. Maybe it was the lack of following a script that allowed Margot Robbie to slip further into her character.

If all of this sounds a little bizarre, that's because it's supposed to. I, Tonya, isn't a straight dramatic adaptation of the most famous period in the skater's life, the point at which she was involved in a physical attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan. Instead, it's a mockumentary style black comedy.

Margot Robbie did not say whether this experience helped her to better understand her Suicide Squad co-star Jared Leto, who also reportedly tends to forget who he is while making movies.

Canada beckons! Every September, we anticipate our trip to the Great White North, where the film industry aims to put their best on display as part of the sprawling, stimulating and overwhelming (in a good way) slate at the Toronto International Film Festival. Toronto arrives on the heels of Venice and Telluride -- two equally powerful bellweathers in the field of Awards prediction (which is why we attend TIFF), so a handful of these anticipated features come with that ever-valuable "heated" generated by critical buzz.

Knowing that we are taking our first tentative steps into the Awards race -- as well as keeping a close eye on the best films that will be screening near you between now and year's end -- here are the 10 movies we can not wait to see and report on during our time in Toronto. Which of these are you dying to see?

The Shape of Water

Even before it opened the Venice Film Festival, we were excited to see Guillermo del Toro's supernatural romance... because it's a supernatural romance by Guillermo del Toro. The brilliant mind behind Pan's Labyrinth and Crimson Peak turns his attention to a King Kong-esque love story between a woman (Sally Hawkins) and an amphibious creature being held captive in a lab. The reviews out of Venice and Telluride moved The Shape of Water near the top of our TIFF list, though.

Downsizing

Alexander Payne has been on a roll, exploring the pain and peril of, well, humanity in deeply personal stories like The Descendants and Nebraska. And yet, he's had his foot in the comedy genre before, delivering the bitingly satirical Election, a true masterpiece. This one sounds like a total departure into sci-fi, with Matt Damon playing a man who invests in an experimental technology that shrinks people down to tiny size as a means of coping with the globe's overpopulation. Get it? Downsizing. Venice flipped for Payne's dark comedy, but Telluride was driven in half between supporters and detractors, so we'll see how the movie plays for Canadian audiences.

Mother!

Darren Aronofsky directs a riveting, psychologically disturbing thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris, about... seriously, who cares WHAT it is about. That cast, in Aronofsky's hands? Sold. On the surface, mother! looks like it's treading into the murky, demonic waters of a Rosemary's Baby remake, with Lawrence playing the unsuspecting vessel of the spawn of Satan. At the very least, mother! wins the trailer contest for its well-paced and disturbing teaser. And I'm still a little unnerved by Aronofsky's Black Swan, which floored me when it first played at TIFF. We'll be first in line Sunday morning to see how badly this one gets under our skin.

Suburbicon

I love George Clooney's directorial efforts. Yes, even Leatherheads. So when you tell me that Clooney is directing off of a screenplay by his frequent collaborators Joel and Ethan Coen, and putting Matt Damon through the wringer as a not-so-innocent suburban dweller who gets in over his head when he messes with career criminal Oscar Isaac -- yeah, I'm 100% in. Clooney has proven that he has a firm grasp on the unexpected genres that he tackles, and if Suburbicon turns the 1950s family drama sect on its ear by filtering it through a comically dark and violent lens, this could be an unforgettable night at the cinema.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Very little is known about this drama on the onset, with Sony making it a last-minute addition to the Toronto programming slate. We know it's a legal drama, and that it stars Colin Farrell and Denzel Washington, under the watchful eye of director Dan Gilroy. And Gilroy brought his brilliant Nightcrawler (with Jake Gyllenhaal) to TIFF a few years back. But then, when we hear that this movie is aiming for the same stratosphere as Paul Newman's The Verdict... well, that's more than enough to get us into the theatre for the World Premiere on Sunday night. ANOTHER Oscar hopeful for the amazing Denzel? Don't put anything past him.

The Florida Project

Another one with pre-festival buzz, this one thanks to early screenings at Cannes. But then the most recent trailer for Sean Baker's The Florida Project hinted at what a unique gem this might end up being. Willem Dafoe looks heartwarming and sad as the proprietor of a Florida motel, who cares for a little girl (Brooklynn Kimberly Prince) whose mom is neglectful and selfish. But the imagery in Baker's trailer also sells what an unusual setting the Sunshine State is, giving The Florida Project a leg up on its competition as it embraces the land of neon-drenched putt-putt golf courses and gaudy souvenir shops. Early word says this one steals your heart.

Battle of the Sexes

There are two high-profile tennis competition films playing TIFF this year, and while we plan to check out Borg/McEnroe (because, really, Shia), I think Battle of the Sexes is the more mainstream play as the rest of the year rolls out. Steve Carell and Emma Stone step onto the clay to play Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, who participated in a high-profile tennis match that said plenty about the gender gap on America at the time. Stone already is getting Oscar buzz, now that Sexes played in Telluride, and the co-directors are moving from this to Captain Marvel, so we're excited to see how this plays.

Molly's Game

The true story of Molly Bloom, who ran a high-stakes poker franchise that attracted Hollywood elite, mega-rich athletes, and even the Russian mob. All of this put her on the radar of the FBI. Sounds like a rich and detailed story, and one that becomes all the more tantalizing when you learn that Molly's Game will mark the directorial debut of Aaron Sorkin, working from his own screenplay. Also, he lured the always captivating Jessica Chastain to play Molly, a tough-talking, take-no-bullshit protagonist who should wrap her tongue around come delicious Sorkin monologues. Idris Elba, Kevin Costner and Michael Cera join the mix, putting this one high on our TIFF radar.

I, Tonya

Who doesn't love a good scandal? Tonya Harding's attack on her bitter skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan, dominated national headlines and made both champion skaters gossip-rag fodder. The wicked drama will fuel I, Tonya, which casts Harley Quinn herself, Margot Robbie, as the ice queen of the title. Mix in Sebastian Stan as Tonya's hitman, Jeff Gilooly, and this has the making of a soap opera melodrama that could be a real guilty pleasure. I'm mainly curious what tone director Craig Gillespie takes with this, because it could be a dark comedy, or if could be played as straight as Foxcatcher. Either sounds like a win.

I Love You, Daddy

A total mystery, but if you are going to roll the dice on anyone, it should be Louis CK. Apparently the genius comedian -- the brains behind his own FX program and the experimental Horace and Pete -- shot this movie in private, and on the quick. The supporting cast includes Chloe Grace Moretz, John Malkovich, Rose Byrne, Helen Hunt, and Pamela Aldon (of course). But if it has the biting wit and brilliant observational humor that have become Louis' staples recently, then I Love You, Daddy has real potential to b a breakout hit, the way Chris Rock's Top Five was at TIFF recently. Stay tuned fore more details on CK's latest.

This poll is no longer available.

With production on the Tonya Harding biopic I, Tonya currently progressing, Margot Robbie's transformation into the titular bad girl of history has made some waves in the set photos floating around the internet. So naturally, the casting of her historical rival/victim, Nancy Kerrigan, is going to be equally as important when it comes to properly selling the movie as a whole. Which is one of the reasons why we're slightly concerned with the casting of Caitlin Carver in the role of Kerrigan, as the resemblance isn't exactly striking.

Deadline made the announcement that Carver, who was recently seen in Rules Don't Apply, as well as in previous roles in Paper Towns, ABC's Oil and Freeform's The Fosters, would be on the opposite side of history as the famed figure skater. I, Tonya is set to focus mostly on the Harding/Kerrigan incident, in which Tonya Harding's ex-husband hired someone to try and disable Nancy Kerrigan before competing at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. While Kerrigan bounced back to compete, Harding would be prosecuted for her role in the plot and eventually find herself disgraced out of the world of figure skating.

Though there are some reservations about Caitlin Carver's resemblance to Nancy Kerrigan, there are two factors that mitigate these fears we might have. The first, and most obvious, is the fact that the film is more focused on Tonya Harding's life and scandals, which is further highlighted by the casting of Designated Survivor's Mckenna Grace as the younger version of Harding. All materials we've read involving this project have us thinking that Nancy Kerrigan's role in the film will be supporting at best, and minor in the most extreme scenario. Also, the title is kind of a dead giveaway, though there could still be room for more of Kerrigan's role, depending on how the story's being told.

But even if Nancy Kerrigan, and by proxy Caitlin Carver, plays a larger role in I, Tonya, it really doesn't matter because, as Michael Fassbender will tell you, physical resemblance doesn't matter all that much. Also, Margot Robbie wasn't cast as Tonya Harding because they are twins. No doubt, Robbie was cast because she's a big, beautiful star, and stars help sell movie tickets on opening weekend. Ultimately, it'll be Carver's and Robbie's performances that make or break their roles in the film. If Carver's work on TV is any indication, as seen in this clip from The Fosters, she looks like she's got the crying component she'll need down to a tee.

We'll have to wait and see how well I, Tonya uses Caitlin Carver's acting abilities until the film is released at some point in 2018. Do you think Carver can pull off the likeness of Nancy Kerrigan? Let us know in the Comments below.

I, Tonya is set to be Margot Robbie's first proper attempt at awards season glory. Based on the controversial antics of disgraced ice-skater Tonya Harding, the biopic will be looking to give us a definitive breakdown of her scandal with Nancy Kerrigan, and in order to do the character justice, Margot Robbie has undergone quite the transformation. You can see the very first peak of Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding by checking out pictures of the Australian actress heading on to set below. Warning: It's very, very 90s, and there's even an ugly sweater and very high waisted pants involved.

It's not surprising that Margot Robbie has signed up for the role of Tonya Harding, as it's ripe with conflict, surprise and melodrama. Undoubtedly, I, Tonya will look to build to Tonya Harding's most famous moment, which involved Nancy Kerrigan being attacked just before the 1994 Olympic Games. It ultimately transpired that Tonya Harding's ex husband Jeff Gillooly and bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt had hired Shane Stant, a hit-man, to try and break Nancy Kerrigan's leg so that she couldn't perform at the event in Lillehammer, and that Harding had been involved.

The plan didn't really go so smoothly, though. That's because Shane Stant didn't actually break Nancy Kerrigan's leg, and instead she just suffered a severe bruise. Nancy Kerrigan recovered in time for the Olympics and won the silver medal, while Tonya Harding finished in eighth place. Clearly Tonya Harding had some other things on her mind during her performance, as she broke down in tears because of her shoelace. We've all been there.

I, Tonya has been slowly building a rather impressive cast and crew ever since Margot Robbie was brought on board for the film. Steven Rogers, who previously scribed Stepmom, Kate & Leopold, P.S. I Love You and Love The Coopers, has written the film, while Australian director Craig Gillespie will oversee it. Gillespie has previously directed Lars And The Real Girl, Fright Night, Million Dollar Arm and The Finest Hours.

Having starred in the gymnastic comedy The Bronze in 2015, Sebastian Stan is now approaching the sport of figure skating. But his portrayal of Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya will undoubtedly be much more dramatic this time around. Meanwhile, two-time Emmy award winner Allison Janney (Masters Of Sex and Mom) will play Tonya Harding's mother LaVona Golden. We're still not exactly sure when I, Tonya will be released, but there's every chance it will be with us in the winter of 2017/2018.

Tonya Harding is primarily famous for two things: figure skating and the reason she was banned from the sport in the mid-1990s. That's enough to warrant her getting a biopic about the latter scandalous affair. Back in March, Suicide Squad actress Margot Robbie was cast as the eponymous character, and now the movie, titled I, Tonya, has added Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney to the cast.

First up, we have Sebastian Stan, best known as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to Deadline, Stan will play Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding's ex-husband. Then Variety dropped the news that Mom star Allison Janney is expected to play Tonya's "eccentric" mother, LaVona Fay Golden. Craig Gillespie is directing I, Tonya, while Steven Rogers writing the script. (It's ironic that a guy named Steven Rogers is working on a movie that will include Captain America star Sebastian Stan, but I digress.) Miramax also recently secured the distribution rights to the biopic.

In case you weren't near a TV on a regular basis a little over two decades ago, Tonya Harding was one of its rising stars in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Her biggest accomplishment was winning the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and she also competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics, finishing in fourth place. However, she had also built a rivalry with fellow competitor Nancy Kerrigan, and that came to a head in January 1994 when Harding's then-husband Jeff Gillooly and her bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt hired a man named Shane Stant to attack Kerrigan so she couldn't compete in that year's Winter Olympics. It later became public that Harding was involved in the planning of the assault, and it resulted in her being banned for life from competitive figure skating, among other punishments. Gillooly took a plea bargain deal to testify against Harding and served some prison time, and the couple was divorced later that year.

As the above information makes clear, Sebastian Stan will have plenty to do playing Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya, as he was one of the main participants in this scandal. As for Allison Janney playing LaVona Fay Golden, she also won't lack for material. Harding has said that her mother was physically and mentally abusive towards her as a child, and she continued to be hard on her daughter during her figure skating career. The only thing that will be more interesting than Stan and Janney's involvement is who the movie finds to play Nancy Kerrigan. Since production is reportedly kicking off next month, surely that casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on I, Tonya as they come in, and let us know what you think of Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney being added to the project in the comments below.

There are certain scandals that truly dominate the world of popular culture when they're happening. These decade-defining incidents seem to capture attention nationwide, and continue to be talked about years later. Few incidents define 1990's culture than the feud between figure skating olympians Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, which came to an explosive conclusion when Kerrigan was attacked before the 1994 Olympic Games. While the nation still remembers every press conference, triple lutz, and coverage of the incident, it looks like the scandal will soon be brought to a younger generation. Tonya Harding is getting her very own biopic.

Collider has reported that the long-rumored Tonya Harding biopic is taking major steps forward, including landing a director. Craig Gillespie will be helming the Harding film, which is tentatively titled I, Tonya. Gillespie is best known for directing films like The Finest Hours and Million Dollar Arm, as well as his work on Showtime's United States of Tara.

I, Tonya is still in its early staged of development but it has landed a star, with Margot Robbie playing the title character. With her starring roles in Suicide Squad and The Legend of Tarzan, it looks like 2016 is the year of the Robbie. Now we have to wait and see if the actress cast as Nancy Kerrigan is as captivating as the new Tonya.

Tonya Harding was America's sweetheart and worst enemy when she was in the limelight. Her rivalry with Nancy Kerrigan made the nation as a whole actively tune in to watch figure skating in the Olympic games. Harding was also known for her somewhat bizarre behavior. In addition to skating to the Jurassic Park theme song (yes, that was a real choice), she was also known for sometimes having breakdowns when her routing wasn't going exactly as planned. For instance, in 1994 she had an issue with her laces, and lost her shit. Check it out below.

Tonya Harding also gained a ton of attention after the infamous attack of her competitor Nancy Kerrigan. After Kerrigan's practice session before the 1994 Olympic games, she was attacked by Shane Stint, in an attempt to break her leg and disabling her from competing in the games. Stint was hired by Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, leading many to believe that Harding herself had been a conspirator in the attack. She would eventually plea guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution of the attackers, and was sentenced to 3 years probation, 500 hours of community service, and a fine of $160,000. Additionally, she was stripped of all of her titles by the USFCA.

The whole scandal is cemented in American popular culture, and Nancy Kerrigan's cries in anguish, asking "why?" would go viral before viral was even a thing.

Tonya Harding also ended up having a celebrity sex tape with Jeff Gillooly, which Harding would profit from by selling it to Penthouse.

With so much craziness surrounding her, Tonya Harding seems like the perfect person to have a biopic. In fact, it's almost surprising it took this long. And with Margot Robbie showing off her penchant for crazy as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, she seems like the perfect actress to bring Harding to the silver screen.

We'll continue to update you on all things I, Tonya as they become public.